Thanksgiving for These Believers

1Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being from God].

2We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers; 3recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ. 4[a]Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you; 5for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your benefit. 6You became imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord, after you welcomed our message in [a time of] great trouble with the joy supplied by the Holy Spirit; 7so that you became an example to all the believers in [b]Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has resounded from you and has echoed [like thunder], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place [the news of] your [great] faith in God has spread, so that we never need to say anything about it. 9For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead--Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].