1 Thessalonians 1

1Paul, Silas, and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians, who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be yours.

2We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers.

3We never stop remembering how your faith leads you to work, how your love makes you serve, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ keeps you going. We remember this before our God and Father.

4Brothers and sisters, God loves you, and we know that He has chosen you.

5For when we brought you the good news, it did not come only in words. It came with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep certainty. You know how we lived among you, for your good.

6And you became like us and like the Lord. Even though you suffered greatly, you welcomed the message with the joy that the Holy Spirit gives.

7So you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

8The Lord's message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia. Your faith in God has become known everywhere, so that we do not even need to say anything.

9People themselves tell us how you welcomed us, and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God,

10and to wait for His Son from heaven — Jesus, whom God raised from death, and who rescues us from the coming anger of God.