⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[a] loved by God,^(A) that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel^(B) came to you not simply with words but also with power,^(C) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know^(D) how we lived among you for your sake.

⁸ The Lord’s message^(A) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(B) 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^(C) to God from idols^(D) to serve the living and true God,^{(E) 10} and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(F) whom he raised from the dead^(G)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(H)

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