Book of Common Prayer

He thanks God for them, that they are so steadfast in faith & good works, and receive the gospel with such earnestness.  

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

To the congregation of the Thessalonians in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

² We give God thanks always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing, ³ and call to remembrance your work in the faith and labour in love, and perseverance in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God our Father, ⁴ because we know, brethren beloved of God, that you are elect. ⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and also in the Holy Spirit – and in much confidence, as you know how we conducted ourselves among you for your sakes.

⁶ And you became followers of us and of the Lord, and received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you were an example to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For the word of the Lord sounded out from you – not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but the faith that you have in God went abroad in all quarters, so greatly that it is not necessary for us to say anything at all. ⁹ For people themselves speak of you: what manner of entry we had in to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to look for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from death; I mean Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

They ask Christ one question, and he asks them another. The parable of the vineyard. Of tribute to be given to Caesar, and how Christ stops the mouths of the Sadducees.

20 And it happened in one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, the high priests and the scribes came with the elders ² and spoke to him, saying, Tell us by what authority you do these things. Or who is it that gave you this authority? ³ He answered and said to them, I also will ask you a question, and answer me. ⁴ The baptism of John: was it from heaven, or of men?

⁵ And they thought within themselves, saying, If we say from heaven, he will say, Why then did you not believe him? ⁶ But if we say of men, all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John is a prophet. ⁷ And they answered that they did not know where it was from.

⁸ And Jesus said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.