in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you -- it has not proven to be purposeless.

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe.

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep.

Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night.

Now when they are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.

So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.

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

For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do not extinguish the Spirit.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt.