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¹ From[fn] Paul, Silvanus,[fn] and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in union with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ[fn] be yours![xr]

² We always thank God for all of you when we mention you in our prayers.[xr] ³ In the presence of our God and Father, we constantly remember how your faith is active,[fn] your love is hard at work,[fn] and your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is enduring.[fn][xr] ⁴ Brothers whom God loves, we know that he has chosen you,[xr] ⁵ for the gospel we brought[fn] did not come to you in words only, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Indeed,[fn] you know what kind of people we proved to be while we were with you, acting on your behalf.[xr]

⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord. In spite of a great deal of suffering, you welcomed the word with the joy that the Holy Spirit produces.[fn][xr] ⁷ As a result, you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ From you the word of the Lord has spread out not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything.[xr] ⁹ For people[fn] keep telling us what kind of welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve a living and true God[xr] ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son whom he raised from the dead to come back[fn] from heaven. This Jesus is the one who rescues us from the coming wrath.[xr]