For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in great fulness of assurance; as ye know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.

For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only into Macedonia and Achaia, but into every region also your fidelity towards God is gone out, so that we have no need to say any thing.

but as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.

not seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, though we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ.

So, tenderly affected towards you, we could with pleasure have imparted to you not the gospel of God only, but our own lives also, because ye were beloved by us.

For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for ye suffered the same things also yourselves from your own countrymen, as they too have of the Jews;

who both murdered the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are in opposition to all mankind;

But we, brethren, bereaved of you for a short moment, in person, not in heart, have more abundantly longed to see your face with great desire.

Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us.

for this cause we have felt consolation, brethren, in you under all our tribulation and distress, because of your fidelity.

FINALLY, brethren, we beseech you therefore, and conjure you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and please God, so ye would abound more and more.

that no man transgress against, or act dishonestly to his brother in this matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such things, as we have told you before, and testified.

Now concerning brotherly love, I have no need to write unto you: for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another.

and that you make it your study to live peaceably, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we have enjoined you;

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are fallen asleep, that ye be not afflicted, as the rest [of mankind] who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, so also those that have fallen asleep for Jesus shall God bring with him.

NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you: