I am continually thanking God for all, always making mention of you in my prayers,

Brothers whom God loves, we know that he has chosen you,

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

But even as the good news was given to us by the approval of God, so we give it out; not as pleasing men, but God by whom our hearts are tested.

For this reason also I am giving continual thanks to God, because when you heard from me the spoken word of God, you received it not as the word of men, but as the word of God (which in truth it is), who himself is effectually at work in you believe.

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.

For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord.

Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in your faith.

So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

[We also urge you to] make it your aim to live a quiet life, and to attend to your own business matters, and to work with your hands, as we urged you. [Note: Possibly this exhortation was directed toward the tendency of some people there to neglect ordinary responsibilities in view of an imminent return of Christ].

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.

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

I am ordering you, by [the authority of] the Lord, that this letter be read to all the brothers.