We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.

But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you.

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.