For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father;

for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

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 you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose.

Even so, being full of loving desire for you, we took delight in giving you not only God's good news, but even our lives, because you were dear to us.

nor do we fail of giving thanks to God continually, that, when you received the word of God, which we preach, you did not receive it as the doctrine of men, but as a doctrine that appears to be truly divine, by the influences it displays in you, who believe.

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same [kind of] persecution from your own countrymen, as they did from the Jews,

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

So, when we could not stand it any longer [Note: Paul's concern for the spiritual well-being of the Thessalonian Christians became unbearable], we [i.e., I, See verse 5] thought it best to be left behind, alone, at Athens [Note: Paul was willing to labor alone at Athens, so he could send his fellow-workers to minister to others. See Acts 17],

and sent Timotheus, our brother and fellow-workman under God in the glad tidings of Christ, to confirm you and encourage you concerning your faith,

I feel encouraged, brothers, about you, in spite of all my distress and trouble, at your faith,

For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?

and the Lord increase you, and make you flow over in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you,

Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation].

not in the vile passion of lewdness, as the Gentiles which know not God;

to study your own quiet, to mind your own affairs, and follow some handicraft trade, as we recommended it to you:

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.

for, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also those who fell asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

For this we say to You, in a word of the Lord, that we, the living who remain over to the coming of the Lord, shall in nowise precede those who fell asleep;

For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

whilst they flatter themselves with peace and safety, destruction shall fall upon them, like the pangs of a woman in travail, and they shall not escape.

Therefore, let's not fall asleep like others do, but let's stay awake and be sober.

who died for us so that whether we are still alive or fall asleep we may live with him.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

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