knowing, brethren beloved by God, your election.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, not to be chargeable to any one of you, we have preached to you the glad tidings of God.

And for this cause we also give thanks to God unceasingly that, having received the word of the report of God by us, ye accepted, not men's word, but, even as it is truly, God's word, which also works in you who believe.

who have both slain the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and have driven us out by persecution, and do not please God, and are against all men,

forbidding us to speak to the nations that they may be saved, that they may fill up their sins always: but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Wherefore, being no longer able to refrain ourselves, we thought good to be left alone in Athens,

that no one might be moved by these afflictions. (For yourselves know that we are set for this;

for also, when we were with you, we told you beforehand we are about to be in tribulation, even as also it came to pass, and ye know.)

For this reason I also, no longer able to refrain myself, sent to know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be come to nothing.

and to seek earnestly to be quiet and mind your own affairs, and work with your own hands, even as we charged you,

But we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are fallen asleep, to the end that ye be not grieved even as also the rest who have no hope.

then we, the living who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall be always with the Lord.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,

for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief by night.

So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober;

for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night;

but we being of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation;

who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.

But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.

Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the holy brethren.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.