for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we have no need to say anything.

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was not in vain;

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity, nor is it made with deceit;

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Having so fond an affection for you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God.

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

But since we were taken away from you, brethren, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming?

as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

not in the passion of lust like the heathen, who do not know God;

For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Now concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone.

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Now as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you.

For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

While people are saying, "Peace and safety," then destruction will come upon them suddenly as labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

For God has not destined us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Do not quench the Spirit;

do not despise prophecies.