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

Nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others, being able to be so with heaviness, as apostles of Christ.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered these things by your own countrymen, even as they also by the Jews;

forbidding us to speak to the nations that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always; but the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are you not even to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

Therefore when we could no longer endure, we were pleased to be left at Athens alone.

so that no one should be drawn aside by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to them.

For this cause, when I could no longer endure, I also sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter may have tempted you and our labor may have been in vain.

For we know what commands we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

But regarding brotherly love, you do not need that I write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

and that you try earnestly to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope.

For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

Therefore let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm.

But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet.

For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.