Because the Good News that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good.

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,

And so became a pattern to all who believed in Christ throughout Macedonia and Greece.

For it was from you that the Lord's Message resounded throughout Macedonia and Greece; and, more than that, your faith in God has become known far and wide; so that there is no need for us to say another word.

For, although we had experienced suffering and ill-treatment, as you know, at Philippi, we had the courage, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News in spite of great opposition.

In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God's Good news, but our very lives as well--so dear had you become to us.

You will not have forgotten, Brothers, our labor and toil. Night and day we used to work at our trades, so as not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you God's Good News.

So that you should make your daily lives worthy of God who is calling you into the glory of his Kingdom.

As for ourselves, Brothers, our having been bereaved of you even for a short time--though in body only, and not in spirit--made us all the more eager to see your faces again; and the longing to do so was strong upon us.

That was why we made up our minds to go and see you--at least I, Paul, did, more than once--but Satan put difficulties in our way.

And so, as we could bear it no longer, we made up our minds to remain behind alone at Athens,

And sent Timothy, our Brother and God's minister of the Good News of the Christ, to strengthen you, and to encourage you in your faith,

So that none of you should be shaken by the troubles through which you are passing. You yourselves know that we are destined to meet with such things.

For, even while we were with you, we warned you beforehand that we were certain to encounter trouble. And so it proved, as you know.

But, when Timothy recently returned to us from you with good news of your faith and love, and told us how kindly you think of us--always longing, he said, to see us, just as we are longing to see you--

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and make good any deficiency in your faith.

And so make your hearts strong, and your lives pure beyond reproach, in the sight of our God and Father, at the Coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his Holy Ones.

For this is God's purpose--that you should be pure; abstaining from all immorality;

For God's Call to us does not permit of an impure life, but demands purity.

So that your conduct may win respect from those outside the Church, and that you may not want for anything.

For, as we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring, with Jesus, those who through him have passed to their rest.

Then those who died in union with Christ shall rise first; and afterwards we who are still living shall be caught up in the clouds, with them, to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall be for ever with the Lord.

Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another's characters, as indeed you are doing.

We beg you, Brothers, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord's service, and give you counsel.

I adjure you in the Lord's name to have this letter read to all the Brethren.