We give thanks to God for you always, making mention of you in our prayers,

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

For from you the Word of the Lord sounded out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to speak anything.

For they themselves witness what kind of entrance we had to you, even how you turned from idols to God in order to serve the living and true God,

and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

For, my brothers, you yourselves know our coming in to you, that it was not in vain.

For our exhortation to you was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile,

For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor with pretense of covetousness; God is witness.

So affectionately longing for you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you have become beloved to us.

For, brothers, you remember our labor and toil. For laboring night and day in order not to put a burden on any one of you, we preached the gospel of God to you.

And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered these things by your own countrymen, even as they also by the Jews;

But, my brothers, when we were taken away from you for an hour's time (in presence, not in heart), more abundantly we were eager with much desire to see your face.

For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are you not even to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

For you are our glory and joy.

so that no one should be drawn aside by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to them.

For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we were going to suffer affliction, as it also happened, even you know.

For this cause, when I could no longer endure, I also sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter may have tempted you and our labor may have been in vain.

for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,

night and day praying exceedingly for me to see your face and to perfect the things lacking in your faith?

For the rest, then, my brothers, we beseech you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you have received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more.

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

For this is the will of God, your sanctification, for you to abstain from fornication,

For God has not called us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.

But regarding brotherly love, you do not need that I write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep.

For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.

For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape.

For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet.

For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

See that none gives evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Brothers, pray for us.