since we know, brethren beloved of God, that he hath chosen you;

so that ye became an example to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

For from you the word of the Lord hath sounded forth not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God hath become known; so that we need not say anything [about you].

For ye yourselves know, brethren, that our coming among you hath not been in vain;

For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil, how laboring night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Ye are witnesses, and so is God, how holily, and righteously, and unblamably we conducted ourselves toward you that believe;

that ye should walk in a manner worthy of God, who is calling you to his own kingdom and glory.

And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also is powerfully working in you that believe.

hindering us from speaking to the gentiles that they may be saved,to fill up their sins always! But the wrath is come upon them to the end.

Wherefore we purposed to come to you, that is, I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

so that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for yourselves know that to this we are appointed;

for even when we were with you, we told you before that we are to suffer affliction, just as it came to pass, and ye know.

But when Timothy just now came to us from you, and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you;

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may supply that which is lacking in your faith?

in order that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.

Furthermore then, brethren, we beseech you, and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye are walking, ye would abound still more;

For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication;

that every one of you should know how to procure for himself his own vessel in purity and honor,

that no one should go beyond and overreach his brother in the matter; because the Lord is the avenger in respect to all these things, as we also told you before and solemnly testified.

He therefore that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who also gave to you his Holy Spirit.

that ye may walk becomingly toward those without, and may have need of nothing.

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are sleeping, that ye may not sorrow, as others do, who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then also will God, through Jesus, bring again with him those who have fallen asleep.

For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we who are living, we who are left till the coming of the Lord, shall not anticipate those who have fallen asleep.

for ye yourselves know full well, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief;

For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunken, are drunken in the night;

who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should together live with him.

See that none render evil for evil to any one; but ever follow that which is good, both toward one another and toward all.

but prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

I adjure you by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the holy brethren.