First Letter to the Thessalonians

Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.

For most assuredly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;

for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;

and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,

to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.

For you know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,

that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don't know God;

that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.