For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,

for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

A Life Pleasing to God

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

The Coming of the Lord

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

The Day of the Lord

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Final Instructions and Benediction

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Brothers, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.