Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you;

For the word of the Lord has resounded from you and has echoed [like thunder], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place [the news of] your [great] faith in God has spread, so that we never need to say anything about it.

For ye yourselves know, brothers, our entrance with you, that it has not become empty.

But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.

So that your lives might be pleasing to God, who has given you a part in his kingdom and his glory.

And for this cause we still give praise to God, that, when the word came to your ears through us, you took it, not as the word of man, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which has living power in you who have faith.

forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God’s] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever].

this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle.

For even when we were with you, we warned you plainly in advance that we were going to experience persecution; and so, as you know, it has come to pass.

But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.

Thus, my brethren, your conduct has given us great consolation, under all our persecutions and distress.

For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness.

he therefore that violates these precepts, does not despise man, but God, who has endued me with his holy spirit.

For if we believe that Jesus has died and has risen again, so also God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

For we declare to you what the Lord has told us to say: We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have died.

For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

if it has the least appearance of evil, reject it.

he that has called you, is faithful, and this he will effect.