1 Thessalonians 1

1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace.

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

3remembering your work of faith, your labor of love, and your endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father.

4Brothers loved by God, we know your election.

5Because our gospel reached you not in word alone but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with abundant assurance, as you know what kind of men we proved ourselves to be among you for your sake.

6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word amid much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.

7so that you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

8For the word of the Lord has resounded from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place, as your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

9For they themselves tell about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.