Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.^{(B) 4} Therefore, among God’s churches we boast^(C) about your perseverance and faith^(D) in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.^(E)

⁵ All this is evidence^(F) that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy^(G) of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just:^(H) He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you^{(I) 7} and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven^(J) in blazing fire^(K) with his powerful angels.^{(L) 8} He will punish^(M) those who do not know God^(N) and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^{(O) 9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction^(P) and shut out from the presence of the Lord^(Q) and from the glory of his might^{(R) 10} on the day^(S) he comes to be glorified^(T) in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.^(U)

¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you,^(A) that our God may make you worthy^(B) of his calling,^(C) and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness^(D) and your every deed prompted by faith.^{(E) 12} We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,^(F) and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.^[a]

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,^(A) who loved us^(B) and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage^(C) your hearts and strengthen^(D) you in every good deed and word.

² And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(A) for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful,^(B) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^{(C) 4} We have confidence^(D) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts^(E) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Final Greetings

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace^(A) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.^(B)