for the gospel we brought did not come to you in words only, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Indeed, you know what kind of people we proved to be while we were with you, acting on your behalf.

From you the word of the Lord has spread out not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything about it.

Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us.

Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Brothers, although we have been separated from you for a little while in person but not in heart we eagerly desire to see you again face to face.

That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way.

But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time.

But Timothy has just now returned from visiting you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, just as we want to see you.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to be holy.

Therefore, whoever rejects this instruction is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

In fact, you are showing love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia, but we urge you, brothers, to keep on doing this even more.

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope.

Therefore, let's not fall asleep like others do, but let's stay awake and be sober.

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

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