Greeting
1 Paul,Silvanus, and Timothy,
# To the church of theThessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasingyour work of faith,labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren,your election by God.
5 Forour gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power,and in the Holy Spiritand in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 Andyou became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction,with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lordhas sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but alsoin every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning uswhat manner of entry we had to you,and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 andto wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,evenJesus who delivers usfrom the wrath to come.