⁶ You became imitators of us^(A) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(B) with the joy^(C) given by the Holy Spirit.^{(D) 7} And so you became a model^(E) to all the believers in Macedonia^(F) and Achaia.^{(G) 8} The Lord’s message^(H) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(I) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned^(J) to God from idols^(K) to serve the living and true God,^{(L) 10} and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(M) whom he raised from the dead^(N)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(O)