^aPaul, ^bSilvanus (Silas) , and ^cTimothy,

To the ^dchurch of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 ^aGrace to you and peace inner calm and spiritual well-being from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We ought always and indeed are morally obligated as those in debt ^ato give thanks to God for you, ^1bbrothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing ever greater, and the unselfish ^2clove of each one of you toward one another is continually increasing. 4 Therefore, we ^aspeak of you with pride among ^bthe churches of God for your steadfastness your unflinching endurance, and patience and your firm faith ^cin the midst of all the persecution and crushing distress which you endure. 5 This is a ^apositive proof of the righteous judgment of God a sign of His fair verdict, so that you will be ^bconsidered worthy of His kingdom, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all ^ait is only just for God to repay with distress those who distress you, 7 and to give relief to you who are so distressed and to us as well ^awhen the Lord Jesus is revealed ^bfrom heaven ^cwith His mighty angels ^din a flame of fire, 8 dealing out full and complete vengeance to those who ^ado not seek to know God and to those who ^bignore and refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus by choosing not to respond to Him. 9 These people will pay the penalty and endure the punishment of ^1aeverlasting destruction, ^bbanished from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be ^aglorified in His saints on that ^bday that is, glorified through the changed lives of those who have accepted Him as Savior and have been set apart for His purpose, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our ^ctestimony to you was believed and trusted and confirmed in your lives. 11 With this in view, we constantly ^apray for you, that our God will ^bcount you worthy of your ^ccalling to faith and with His power fulfill every desire for ^dgoodness, and complete your every ^ework of faith, 12 so that the ^aname of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you by what you do, and you in Him, according to the precious grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.