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.

And you yourselves began to follow, not only our example, but the Master's also; and, in spite of much suffering, you welcomed the Message with a joy inspired by the Holy Spirit,

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.

Yes, Brothers, you yourselves know that your reception of us was not without result.

Our appeal to you was not based on a delusion, nor was it made from unworthy motives, or with any intention of misleading you.

But, having been found worthy by God to be entrusted with the Good News, therefore we tell it; with a view to please, not men, but God who proves our hearts.

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.

You will not have forgotten, Brothers, our labor and toil. Night and day we used to work at our trades, so as not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you God's Good News.

This, too, is a reason why we, on our part, are continually thanking God--because, in receiving the teaching that you had from us, you accepted it, not as the teaching of man, but as what it really is--the teaching of God, which is even now doing its work within you who believe in Christ.

The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets, and persecuted us also. They do not try to please God, and they are enemies to all mankind,

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?

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and make good any deficiency in your faith.

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

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.

Therefore he who disregards this warning disregards, not man, but God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

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.

We do not wish you to remain in ignorance, Brothers, with regard to those who have passed to their rest, that your grief may not be like that of others, who have no hope.

This we tell you on the authority of the Lord--that those of us who are still living at the Coming of the Lord will not anticipate those who have passed to their rest.

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

You yourselves know well that the Day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.

You, however, Brothers, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.

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

Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.

It is at night that men sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.

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

Do not quench the Spirit;

Do not make light of preaching.

He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.