so that you became an example to all those who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia,

and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, the one who delivers us from the coming wrath.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.

You [are] witnesses, and [so is] God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we became to you who believe,

exhorting and consoling you and insisting that you live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.

And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that [when you] received God's word {that you heard} from us, you accepted [it] not [as the] word of men, but as [it] truly is, [the] word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and who persecuted us, and [who are] not pleasing to God and [are] opposed to all people,

For who [is] our hope or joy or crown of boasting? [Is it] not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming?

not in lustful passion, just as also the Gentiles who do not know God;

not to transgress and to exploit his brother in the matter, because the Lord [is] the one who avenges concerning all these [things], just as also we told you beforehand and testified solemnly.

Therefore the one who rejects [this] [is] not rejecting man, but God, [who] also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose [again], thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord's coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep.

Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live at the same time with him.

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you,

The one who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [this].