We ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers, just as it is fitting, because your faith is flourishing and the love of each one of you all toward one another is increasing

This is a positive proof of the righteous judgment of God [a sign of His fair verdict], so that you will be considered worthy of His kingdom, for which indeed you are suffering.

For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;

For the mystery of wickedness already works, [God] only restrains it just now, till it shall be out of the way;

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored, just as also [it was] with you,

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one [Note: The Greek says just "the evil"].

not, that we had no just claim, but to present ourselves as a pattern, which you should imitate,

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, refusing to work, but [instead] are just being busybodies.