Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

² We always thank God for all of you^(A) and continually mention you in our prayers.^{(B) 3} We remember before our God and Father^(C) your work produced by faith,^(D) your labor prompted by love,^(E) and your endurance inspired by hope^(F) in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(C) of God’s churches in Judea,^(D) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(E) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(F) and the prophets^(G) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(H) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(I) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[a]

⁹ How can we thank God enough for you^(A) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^{(B) 10} Night and day we pray^(C) most earnestly that we may see you again^(D) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(E) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other^(F) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless^(G) and holy in the presence of our God and Father^(H) when our Lord Jesus comes^(I) with all his holy ones.^(J)

²³ May God himself, the God of peace,^(A) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul^(B) and body be kept blameless^(C) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(D) 24} The one who calls^(E) you is faithful,^(F) and he will do it.^(G)

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.^(A)