1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1
1
From Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of Thessalonica, which is in God the Father and in Christ Jesus, the Lord.
May the grace and peace of God be with you.
2
We thank God for you always and remember you in our prayers.
3
We constantly bring before God, our Father, the work of your faith, the efforts of your love, and your perseverance in waiting for Christ Jesus our Lord.
4
We remember, brothers and sisters, the circumstances of your calling.
5
The gospel we preached to you was not only in words. Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and an abundance of blessings were given to you. You also know how we treated you, for your sake.
6
In return, you became followers of us and of the Lord when, upon receiving the word, you experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit amid great opposition.
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You became a model for the faithful in Macedonia and Achaia because,
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from you, the word of the Lord spread to Macedonia and Achaia and even further. The faith you have in God has become so well known that we need not say more about it.
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Others tell how you welcomed us and turned from idols to the Lord, for you serve the living and true God,
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and you wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who frees us from upcoming trouble.