For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause. instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might;

Longing for you in this way, we determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you had become dear to us.

You are witnesses, with God, how holy and upright and free from all evil was our way of life among you who have faith;

You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children.

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.

For you, Brothers, began to follow the example of the Churches of God in Judea which are in union with Jesus Christ; you, in your turn, suffering at the hands of your fellow-citizens, in the same way as those Churches did at the hands of the Jews--

That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way.

For even when we were with you, we warned you that we were going to be persecuted, and as you know, it has turned out that way.

But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time.

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more.

Each of you should know how to control his own body in a dedicated and honorable way,

Because it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.

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

Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

(For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we, the living, who remain to the coming of the Lord, are in no way to anticipate those who have fallen asleep;

for [you] yourselves well know that the day of the Lord is coming in the [same] way as a thief in the night.

For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

And regard them very highly, in a loving way, because of the work they do. You should live at peace with one another.

Take care that none of you ever pays back evil for evil, but always keep looking for ways to show kindness to one another and everybody.

And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.