Salutation
1 1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy , To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ : Grace to you and peace .
The Thessalonians' Faith and Example
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers ; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and [1] steadfastness of hope [2]in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father , 4 knowing , brethren beloved by God , His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only , but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction ; just as you know what kind of men we [3]proved to be among you for your sake .
6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord , having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit , 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia . 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia , but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth , so that we have no need to say anything . 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a [4] reception we had [5]with you, and how you turned to God from [6]idols to serve [7] a living and true God , 10 and to wait for His Son from [8]heaven , whom He raised from the dead , that is Jesus , who rescues us from the wrath to come .
[1] 1:3 Or "perseverance"
[2] 1:3 Lit "of"
[3] 1:5 Or "became"
[4] 1:9 Lit "entrance"
[5] 1:9 Lit "to"
[6] 1:9 Or "the idols"
[7] 1:9 Or "the"
[8] 1:10 Lit "the heavens"