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.

but after we had already suffered and been shamefully treated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition.

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.

But we were gentle among you, like a mother nursing her little children.

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.

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.

hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last.

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.

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you

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.

and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to do so more and more.

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.

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

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

But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

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

But we ask you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.

But test everything; hold fast to what is good.