So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.

Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.

I call on you solemnly in the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

constantly pray,

In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.

So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.

For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith.

For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –