Brothers whom God loves, we know that he has chosen you,

and to wait for his Son whom he raised from the dead to come back from heaven. This Jesus is the one who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe.

We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who have persecuted us, and who please neither God nor any group of people,

After all, who is our hope, joy, or reason for rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? It is you, isn't it?

and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

Then your hearts will be strong, blameless, and holy in the presence of God, who is our Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints.

not with passion and lust like the gentiles who do not know God.

Therefore, whoever rejects this instruction is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus God will bring those who have died with him.

For we declare to you what the Lord has told us to say: We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have died.

With a shout of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of God's trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first.

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

For people who go to sleep, go to sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night.

who died for us in order that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

Brothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct you.

We urge you, brothers, to admonish those who are idle, cheer up those who are discouraged, and help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful.