so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

For this is God's will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality,

In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep.

in everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this.

I call on you solemnly in the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.