We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,

For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,

for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result.

For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.

For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.

For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews

But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you?

For you are our glory and joy!

so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you,

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.

For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality,

For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification.

For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brothers, pray for us also.