Chapter 1

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace be to you and peace. Thanksgiving for Their Faith

We give thanks to God always for you all, continually making a remembrance of you in our prayers;

being mindful before God our Father of your work of faith, and labor, and charity, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, brethren, beloved of God, how you were chosen.

For our gospel was not delivered to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much fullness, as indeed you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

so that you became a pattern to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

For from you the word of the Lord has been spread abroad, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we need say nothing further.

For they themselves report concerning us how we entered among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

and to await from heaven Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, who has delivered us from the wrath to come.