[1] Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the assembly of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2] We always give thanks to
God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, [3] remembering without
ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. [4] We know, brothers loved
by God, that you are chosen, [5] and that our gospel came to you not in
word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much
assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you
for your sake. [6] You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having
received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, [7] so
that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
[8] For from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God has gone
forth; so that we need not to say anything. [9] For they themselves report
concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned
to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, [10] and to wait for his
Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who delivers us
from the wrath to come.
