so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

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.

exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

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.

So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.

As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.

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

Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.