For you, brothers, followed the example of God's churches in Judea that are in union with Christ Jesus, for you in your turn had to bear the same ill-treatment from your neighbors as they did from the Jews,

You are our pride and our joy.

for now I can really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

Now, brothers, we ask and entreat you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to live as you learned from us that you must live, to please God??s indeed you are doing, only do it more and more.

and you are doing it to all the brothers all over Macedonia. But we do entreat you, brothers, to surpass yourselves

We do not want you to be under any misapprehension, brothers, about those who are falling asleep. You must not grieve for them, as others do who have no hope.

then those of us who are still living will be caught up with them on clouds into the air to meet the Lord, and so we shall be with the Lord forever.

But you are not in darkness, brothers, so that that Day should surprise you like thieves.

who died for us so that whether we are still alive or fall asleep we may live with him.

Therefore encourage one another and strengthen one another, just as you are doing.