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

2We always thank God for all of you, and mention you in our prayers, 3We remember your work of faith, acts of love, and enduring hope in our Lord, Jesus Christ, 4Knowing, beloved brothers and sisters, that God loves and has chosen you. 5Because our gospel message came to you, not just in word, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, with full assurance of its truth; as you perceived our concern for you from how we conducted ourselves among you. 6And you became followers of us, and, far more importantly, of the Lord, as you received the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of much affliction, 7So that you were an example to the believers throughout all Macedonia and Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord is ringing out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every other place where your faith toward God was spread; so that we had no need to tell them about it. 9For they themselves tell us the kind of reception you gave us; and how you turned from serving idols to serving the living and true God, 10And to wait for the return from heaven of His Son, Whom He raised from the dead - Jesus Christ, Who delivers us from the wrath to come.