Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved towards you that believe:

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God, which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus, in that ye also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, as they have from the Jews:

who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; who are displeasing to God, and contrary to all men:

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? are not ye also among others in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

for ye are our glory and our joy.

that no one might be shaken by these afflictions: for ye yourselves know that we are appointed hereunto.

for now we are revived, since you are stedfast in the Lord.

But as to brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

And indeed ye do it to all the brethren, that are in all Macedonia; but we exhort you, brethren, to abound in it more and more:

as we gave you in charge, that ye may walk decently toward those that are without, and may have need of no one's assistance.

But I would not have you ignorant, my brethren, concerning those that are fallen asleep, that ye may not be grieved like others who have no hope:

For this we tell you in the word of the Lord, that we who shall be living and remain to the coming of the Lord, shall not be before those that are asleep.

then we who are living and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we for ever be with the Lord.

But ye, my brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should seize you as a thief:

ye are all children of the light, and of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

for they, that sleep, sleep in the night; and drunkards are drunk in the night:

but let us, who are of the day, be sober; putting on the breast-plate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation.