Being conscious, my brothers, dear to God, that you have been marked out by God's purpose;

So that you became an example to all those who have faith in Christ in Macedonia and Achaia.

For not only was the word of the Lord sounding out from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God is made clear; so that we have no need to say anything.

Or looking for glory from men, from you or from others, when we might have made ourselves a care to you as Apostles of Christ.

For you have the memory, my brothers, of our trouble and care; how, working night and day, so that we might not be a trouble to any of you, we gave you the good news of God.

You are witnesses, with God, how holy and upright and free from all evil was our way of life among you who have faith;

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.

At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you;

Because you have in mind the orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Not in the passion of evil desires, like the Gentiles, who have no knowledge of God;

But about loving the brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you in this letter: for you have the teaching of God that love for one another is right and necessary;

That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

But it is our desire, brothers, that you may be certain about those who are sleeping; so that you may have no need for sorrow, as others have who are without hope.

For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God's power.

For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.

So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.

And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Have joy at all times.

God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.