We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as it is worthy, because your faith increases, and the divine love of each one of you all towards one another abounds more and more;

But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning unto salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;

and our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, the one having loved us and given eternal consolation and good hope through grace,

not because we have not the right, but in order that we may give ourselves an example to you, that you may imitate us.