because our gospel did not come to you with word only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, just as you know what sort of [people] we became among you for your sake.

Longing for you in this way, we determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you had become dear to us.

And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that [when you] received God's word {that you heard} from us, you accepted [it] not [as the] word of men, but as [it] truly is, [the] word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

For you became imitators, brothers, of the churches of God [which] are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you also suffered the same [things] at the hands of your own people, just as [they] themselves [did] also at the hands of the Jews,

Because of this, I also, [when I] could endure [it] no longer, sent in order to know your faith, lest somehow the tempter tempted you and our labor should be in vain.

But now, [because] Timothy has come to us from you and has brought good news to us of your faith and love, and that {you always think kindly of us}, desiring to see us just as also we [desire to see] you,

and [may] the Lord [cause] you to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we [do] for you,

not in lustful passion, just as also the Gentiles who do not know God;

not to transgress and to exploit his brother in the matter, because the Lord [is] the one who avenges concerning all these [things], just as also we told you beforehand and testified solemnly.

Therefore the one who rejects [this] [is] not rejecting man, but God, [who] also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose [again], thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him.

The one who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [this].