1:1 | From Paul* and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians* in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you!* |
1:2 | We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly* in our prayers, |
1:3 | 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. |
1:4 | We know,* brothers and sisters* loved by God, that he has chosen you,* |
1:5 | 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).* |
1:6 | And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received* the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction. |
1:7 | As a result you became an example* to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. |
1:8 | 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. |
1:9 | For people everywhere* report how you welcomed us* and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God |
1:10 | and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.* |