Thanksgiving for Their Growth

1 From Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God our father and Lord Jesus Christ,

2 grace to you and peace from God our father and Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We have a debt to always be giving thanks to God for you, brothers, as is befitting, because your faith is increasing exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all towards one another is growing,

4 with the result that we ourselves boast in you, in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the tribulations which you endure,

Encouragement in Their Persecution

5 which is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, to the intent that you are considered worthy of the kingdom of God, concerning which you also undergo suffering,

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to retribute those who inflict affliction on you,

7 and to give you who are afflicted relief with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 with flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus,

9 who will pay the penalty: age-abiding destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

10 when he comes to be glorified among his saints and to be looked at with wonder among all those who have believed, (because our witness to you was believed), on that day.

Prayer for God's Blessing

11 And in view of this we also pray at all times concerning you, that our God may make you worthy of the calling and fulfil every resolve of goodness and work of faith with power,

12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.