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],

for our preaching of the good news came to you not entirely in words but with power and with the Holy Spirit and with absolute certainty (for you know the kind of men we were among you for your own sakes).

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 were an example to all that believe in Macedonia, and 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 even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated at Philippi - as ye well know - then were we bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God, with much striving.

but as we were allowed of God, that the gospel should be committed unto us: even so we speak, not as though we intended to please men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

[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 were like children among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.

You are witnesses, and God, how piously, and righteously, and blamelessly we were with you that believe,

Even as ye know how, unto each one of you, we were as a father unto his own children, consoling you, and soothing, and calling o witness, -

For you, brothers, became followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which were in Judea, for you also suffered the same things from your countrymen, which they did from the Jews

Now we, brothers, on our part, when we were separated from you for a little while -- in person but not in heart -- were extremely eager and intensely longing to see you.

Wherefore being able to contain no longer, we were content to be left alone at Athens,

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

For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you 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;

for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction 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].