We know, my brothers who are dearly loved by God, about your election [i.e., that you were chosen by God because of your obedient faith],

Because our good news came to you, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, so that you were completely certain of it; even as you saw what our behaviour to you was like from our love to you.

and you imitated us, and were imitators of the Lord, having receiv'd the word, notwithstanding all your afflictions, with that alacrity, which the holy spirit inspires.

So that ye became an ensample unto all who were coming to the faith, in Macedonia and in Achaia:

For they themselves give the news of how we came among you; and how you were turned from images to God, to the worship of a true and living God,

But having suffered before and been mistreated in Philippi, as ye know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the good-news of God within much conflict.

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For it is common knowledge among you that we never made use of smooth-sounding false words, and God is witness that at no time were we secretly desiring profit for ourselves,

[And] we were not looking for honor from people, either from you or from anyone else, even though, as apostles of Christ, we could have become a burden [to you]. [Note: The idea seems to be that the apostles could have claimed financial support, but chose not to].

But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children.

Thus being desirous of you, we were pleased to impart to you, not only the good-news of God, but also our own souls, because ye have become beloved to us.

Ye, are witnesses - God also, how kindly and righteously and blamelessly, unto you who were believing, we were found to behave;

Even as you saw how, like a father with his children, we were teaching and comforting you all, and giving witness,

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,

But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while—in person, but not in heart—we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face.

At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined.

For also when we were with you we foretold you that we were going to be oppressed, just as it also happened, and ye know.

For this reason, when I could no longer endure the suspense, I sent someone to find out about your faith [how you were holding up under pressure], for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our work [among you] would prove to be ineffective.

But, Timothy having just now come to us from you, and having brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us at all times, longing to see us, as we also to see you??7 for this reason, brethren, we were comforted over you, in all our tribulation and distress, through your faith;

because of this, brothers, we were encouraged toward you in all our affliction and necessity through your faith.

for now we [really] live, if you [continue to] stand firm in [the service of] the Lord [i.e., Paul could enjoy life much more in knowing that the Thessalonians were living for the Lord faithfully].

not in the affection of desire, as also the nations that were not knowing God,

But ye brethren are not in darkness, that that day should come on you as it were a thief.

But we urge you, brothers, to know [i.e., appreciate and respect] those who work hard among you, and who lead you and warn you in [the fellowship of] the Lord. [Note: These men were probably the elders. See Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17].