in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

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

in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

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

For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord.

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night.

We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers,

that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor,

For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

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.