We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you -- it has not proven to be purposeless.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely.

so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.