because we know brethren beloved of God, how that ye are elect.

so that ye were an example to all that believe in Macedonia, and Achaia.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord, not in Macedonia and in Achaia only: but your faith also which ye have unto God, spread herself abroad in all quarters, so greatly that it needeth not us to speak anything at all:

For ye yourselves brethren know of our entrance in unto you, how that it was not in vain:

but even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated at Philippi - as ye well know - then were we bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God, with much striving.

but as we were allowed of God, that the gospel should be committed unto us: even so we speak, not as though we intended to please men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Ye are witnesses, and so is God, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

as ye know how that we exhorted and comforted, and besought every one of you, as a father his children,

that ye would walk worthy of God, which hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because that when ye received of us the word, wherewith God was preached, ye received it not as the word of man: but even as it was, indeed, the word of God; which worketh in you that believe.

and forbid us to preach unto the gentiles, that they might be saved, to fulfill their sins always: For the wrath of God is come on them, even to the utmost.

that no man should be moved in these afflictions. For ye yourselves know that we are even appointed thereunto.

For verily when I was with you, I told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it came to pass, and as ye know.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent that I might have knowledge of your faith, lest haply the tempter had tempted you, and that our labour had been bestowed in vain.

But now lately when Timothy came from you unto us and declared to us your faith, and your love, and how that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, as we desire to see you.

For what thanks can we recompense to God again for you, over all the joy that we joy for your sakes before our God,

while we night and day pray exceedingly, that we might see you presently, and might fulfill that which is lacking in your faith.

to make your hearts that they might be stable and unblamable in holiness before God our father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.

Furthermore, we beseech you brethren, and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that ye increase more and more, even as ye have received of us, how ye ought to walk and to please God.

For this is the will of God, even that ye should be holy, and that ye should abstain from fornication,

that every one of you should know how to keep his vessel in holiness and honour,

that no man go too far and defraud his brother in bargaining, because the Lord is avenger of all such things: as we told you before time, and testified unto you.

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, which hath sent his holy spirit among you.

But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you. For ye are taught of God to love one another.

Yea, and that thing verily ye do unto all the brethren, which are throughout all Macedonia. We beseech you brethren that ye increase, more and more,

and that ye study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you:

that ye may behave yourselves honestly toward them that are without and that nothing be lacking unto you.

I would not, brethren, have you ignorant concerning them which are fallen asleep, that ye sorrow not as others do which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again: even so them also which sleep by Jesus, will God bring again with him.

And this say we unto you in the word of the Lord, that we which live and are remaining in the coming of the Lord, shall not come before they which sleep.

Of the times and seasons brethren ye have no need that I write unto you:

for ye your selves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall come even as a thief in the night.

But ye brethren are not in darkness, that that day should come on you as it were a thief.

For they that sleep, sleep in the night: and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night.

which died for us: that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

We beseech you brethren, that ye know them which labour among you, and have the oversight of you in the Lord,

and give you exhortation, that ye have them the more in love: For their work's sake, and be at peace with them.

We desire you brethren warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, forbear the weak, have continual patience toward all men.

See that none recompense evil for evil unto any man: but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Examine all things, and keep that which is good.

The very God of peace sanctify you throughout. And I pray God that your whole spirit, soul, and body, be kept faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I charge you in the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.