Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you^(A) was not without results.^(B)

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) pray for us^(B) that the message of the Lord^(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^(D)

¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(A) that I did not run^(B) or labor in vain.^(C)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(A) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(B)

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

⁵ For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^(A) I sent to find out about your faith.^(B) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(C) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(D)

¹³ And we also thank God continually^(A) because, when you received the word of God,^(B) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

³ We remember before our God and Father^(A) your work produced by faith,^(B) your labor prompted by love,^(C) and your endurance inspired by hope^(D) in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[a] loved by God,^(E) that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel^(F) came to you not simply with words but also with power,^(G) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know^(H) how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us^(I) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(J) with the joy^(K) given by the Holy Spirit.^{(L) 7} And so you became a model^(M) to all the believers in Macedonia^(N) and Achaia.^{(O) 8} The Lord’s message^(P) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(Q) 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^(R) to God from idols^(S) to serve the living and true God,^{(T) 10} and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(U) whom he raised from the dead^(V)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(W)