¹From Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the father and Lord, Jesus Christ, grace to you, and peace from God our father and Lord, Jesus Christ. ²We constantly thank God for all of you, making mention of you on the occasions of our prayers, ³as we continually remember your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience for the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father, ⁴knowing, brothers, you who are loved by God, your election, ⁵because our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but rather in power and in holy spirit, and with much conviction, knowing as you do what kind of people we were among you for your sakes. ⁶Then you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in great tribulation with joy derived from holy spirit, ⁷the result being that you became examples to all those in Macedonia and Achaea who believe. ⁸For the word of the Lord has been blazed abroad by you, not only in Macedonia and in Achaea, but your faith towards God has also spread everywhere, so that we don't need to make any comment, ⁹for they themselves report back about us on what kind of approach we took with you, and how you turned to God from the idols, to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰and to await his son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who saves us from the coming wrath.