13 aBut we should always give thanks to God for you, bbrethren beloved by the Lord, because cGod has chosen you 1from the beginning dfor salvation 2ethrough sanctification 3by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

14 It was for this He acalled you through bour gospel, 1that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brethren, astand firm and bhold to the traditions which you were taught, whether cby word of mouth or cby letter 1from us.

16 aNow may our Lord Jesus Christ aHimself and God our Father, who has bloved us and given us eternal comfort and cgood hope by grace,

17 acomfort and bstrengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Chapter 3

Exhortation

1 aFinally, brethren, bpray for us that cthe word of the Lord will 1spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

2 and that we will be arescued from 1perverse and evil men; for not all have 2faith.

3 But athe Lord is faithful, 1and He will strengthen and protect you 2from bthe evil one.

4 We have aconfidence in the Lord concerning you, that you bare doing and will continue to do what we command.

5 May the Lord adirect your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.