3:4. For even when we were with you, we foretold you that we should suffer tribulations: as also it is come to pa.s.s, and you know.

3:5. For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to know your faith: lest perhaps he that tempteth should have tempted you: and our labour should be made vain.

3:6. But now when Timothy came to us from you and related to us your faith and charity, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us as we also to see you:

3:7. Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith.

3:8. Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.

3:9. For what thanks can we return to G.o.d for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our G.o.d,

3:10. Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?

3:11. Now G.o.d himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

3:12. And may the Lord multiply you and make you abound in charity towards one another and towards all men: as we do also towards you,

3:13. To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before G.o.d and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.

Amen.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 4

He exhorts them to purity and mutual charity. He treats of the resurrection of the dead.

4:1. For the rest therefore, brethren, pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please G.o.d, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.

4:2. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.

4:3. For this is the will of G.o.d, your sanctification: That you should abstain from fornication:

4:4. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour,

4:5. Not in the pa.s.sion of l.u.s.t, like the Gentiles that know not G.o.d:

4:6. And that no man overreach nor circ.u.mvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified.

4:7. For G.o.d hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.

4:8. Therefore, he that despiseth these things, despiseth not man, but G.o.d, who also hath given his holy Spirit in us.

4:9. But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for yourselves have learned of G.o.d to love one another.

4:10. For indeed you do it towards all the brethren in all Macedonia.

But we entreat you, brethren, that you abound more:

4:11. And that you use your endeavour to be quiet: and that you do your own business and work with your own hands, as we commanded you: and that you walk honestly towards them that are without: and that you want nothing of any man's.

4:12. And we will not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.

4:13. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again: even so them who have slept through Jesus, will G.o.d bring with him.

4:14. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept.

4:15. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment and with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of G.o.d: and the dead who are in Christ shall rise first.

4:16. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air: and so shall we be always with the Lord.

4:17. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

The day of the Lord shall come when least expected. Exhortations to several duties.

5:1. But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you:

5:2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall so come as a thief in the night.

5:3. For when they shall say: Peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.

5:4. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.

5:5. For all you are the children of light and children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness.

5:6. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do: but let us watch, and be sober.

5:7. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk, are drunk in the night.

5:8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breast plate of faith and charity and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

5:9. For G.o.d hath not appointed us unto wrath: but unto the purchasing of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:10. Who died for us: that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with him.

5:11. For which cause comfort one another and edify one another, as you also do.

5:12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you;

5:13. That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work's sake. Have peace with them.

5:14. And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men.

The unquiet... That is, such as are irregular and disorderly.

5:15. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men.

5:16. Always rejoice.

5:17. Pray without ceasing.