The Daily Audio Bible

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be with you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

² We always give God thanks for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

³ unceasingly remembering your work of faith and diligent love and the patience of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (in the sight of God our Father),

⁴ knowing - beloved brothers - that you are the Elect of God.

⁵ For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but in power also and in the Holy Ghost and much certainty (as you know how we behaved among you for your sakes).

⁶ And you became followers of us and of the Lord and received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost,

⁷ so that you were examples to all believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

⁸ For the word of the Lord has resounded from you - not only in Macedonia and in Achaia - but in all quarters. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not say anything.

⁹ For they themselves tell of how we approached you and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

¹⁰ and to look for His Son from Heaven - Whom He raised from the dead – Who is Jesus; Who delivers us from the wrath to come.

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

² But even after we had suffered before (and were insulted at Philippi, as you know) we were emboldened by God to speak the Gospel of God to you with much struggle.

³ For our encouragement was not in error, nor of impurity, nor by deceit.

⁴ But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak - not as those who please man, but God, Who examines our hearts.

⁵ Nor did we ever at any time use flattering words (as you know), nor cloaked covetousness. God is our witness.

⁶ Nor did we seek the praise of man - either by you or by others - when we might have imposed on you as the Apostles of Christ.

⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children.

⁸ Having this affection toward you, it was our pleasure to have shared with you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.