Paul's Commendation for Their Growth

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the congregation of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We always thank God for all of you mentioning you in our prayers.

3 Without ceasing we remember your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

4 Knowing, brothers dearly loved by God, about your election.

5 For our gospel did not come to you only in word but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in full assurance, just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake,

6 and you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction along with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

7 So that you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For the word of the Lord resounds from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also your faith toward God is spread abroad everywhere, so that we don't need to say anything.

9 For those things themselves tell about us, what kind of entering we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 1Th 1:10 and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.