1 Thessalonians 1

1From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, which belongs to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you.

2Every time we mention you in our prayers, we give thanks to God for all of you. 3Before our God and Father we never stop remembering the work your faith does, the labor your love takes on, and the endurance your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ gives you. 4Brothers and sisters loved by God, we know that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not only in words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with full certainty. You know what kind of people we were among you for your sake. 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord. Though the word brought you great affliction, you received it with joy that came from the Holy Spirit, 7so that you set an example for every believer in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The word of the Lord has echoed out from you, and not only through Macedonia and Achaia: in every place people have heard of your faith in God. So there is nothing we need to say. 9Everywhere people tell of the welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols, to be servants of the living and true God 10and to wait for his Son from heaven. God raised him from the dead: Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.