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

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).

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

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

We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

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

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

Do not extinguish the Spirit.

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

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

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.

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

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

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.

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

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

See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

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.