For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,

For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result.

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.

This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the message about God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the message of God, which also works effectively in you believers.

But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you?

as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

not with lustful desires, like the Gentiles who don’t know God.

This means one must not transgress against and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you.

For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification.

Therefore, the person who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who also gives you His Holy Spirit.

About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you.

For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.

For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.

So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious.

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

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,