We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all;

Because the Good News that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good.

For it was from you that the Lord's Message resounded throughout Macedonia and Greece; and, more than that, your faith in God has become known far and wide; so that there is no need for us to say another word.

For, although we had experienced suffering and ill-treatment, as you know, at Philippi, we had the courage, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News in spite of great opposition.

In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God's Good news, but our very lives as well--so dear had you become to us.

For you, Brothers, began to follow the example of the Churches of God in Judea which are in union with Jesus Christ; you, in your turn, suffering at the hands of your fellow-citizens, in the same way as those Churches did at the hands of the Jews--

For they would prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles with a view to their Salvation, and thus are always 'filling up the measure of their iniquity.' But the Wrath of God has come upon them to the full!

As for ourselves, Brothers, our having been bereaved of you even for a short time--though in body only, and not in spirit--made us all the more eager to see your faces again; and the longing to do so was strong upon us.

For what hope or joy will be ours, or what crown shall we have to boast of, in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his Coming, if it be not you?

For, even while we were with you, we warned you beforehand that we were certain to encounter trouble. And so it proved, as you know.

For it is new life to us to know that you are holding fast to the Lord.

How can we thank God enough for all the happiness that you are giving us in the sight of our God?

May our God and Father himself, and Jesus, our Lord, make the way plain for us to come to you.

And for you, may the Lord fill you to overflowing with love for one another and for every one, just as we are filled with love for you;

For you have not forgotten the directions that we gave you on the authority of our Lord Jesus.

For this is God's purpose--that you should be pure; abstaining from all immorality;

Each of you recognizing the duty of taking one woman for his wife, purely and honorably,

And not for the mere gratification of his passions, like the Gentiles who know nothing of God;

For God's Call to us does not permit of an impure life, but demands purity.

As to love for the Brethren there is no need to write to you; for you have yourselves been taught by God to love one another;

So that your conduct may win respect from those outside the Church, and that you may not want for anything.

For, as we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring, with Jesus, those who through him have passed to their rest.

For, with a loud summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the trumpet-call of God, the Lord himself will come down from Heaven.

Then those who died in union with Christ shall rise first; and afterwards we who are still living shall be caught up in the clouds, with them, to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall be for ever with the Lord.

But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, Brothers, for any one to write to you.

For you all are 'Sons of Light' and 'Sons of the Day.' We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.

For God destined us, not for Wrath, but to win Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one.

Under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.

Brothers, pray for us.