knowing, brothers [dearly] loved by God, {that he has chosen you},

so that you became an example to all those who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia,

for from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything.

For [you] yourselves know, brothers, our reception with you, that it was not in vain,

exhorting and consoling you and insisting that you live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.

And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that [when you] received God's word {that you heard} from us, you accepted [it] not [as the] word of men, but as [it] truly is, [the] word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles in order that they may be saved, so that [they] always fill up their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the end.

[so that] no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For [you] yourselves know that we are appointed for this,

for indeed when we were with you we told you beforehand that we were about to be afflicted, just as indeed it happened, and you know.

But now, [because] Timothy has come to us from you and has brought good news to us of your faith and love, and that {you always think kindly of us}, desiring to see us just as also we [desire to see] you,

night and day praying beyond all measure that [we] may see your face and complete what is lacking in your faith?

so that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Finally therefore, brothers, we ask you and appeal to [you] in the Lord Jesus that, just as you have received from us how it is necessary for you to live and to please God, just as indeed you are living, that you progress even more.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: [that] you abstain from sexual immorality;

[that] each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

so that you may live decently toward those outside, and may have need of nothing.

Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.

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

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord's coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep.

for [you] yourselves well know that the day of the Lord is coming in the [same] way as a thief in the night.

But you, brothers, are not in the darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief,

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live at the same time with him.

See to it that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good toward one another and toward all [people].