1 Thessalonians 3:6–4:8

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6 But Timothyg has just now come to us from youh and has brought good news about your faith and love.i He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.j 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firmk in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for youl in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?m 10 Night and day we prayn most earnestly that we may see you againo and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Fatherp himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each otherq and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blamelessr and holy in the presence of our God and Fathers when our Lord Jesus comest with all his holy ones.u

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,v we instructed you how to livew in order to please God,x as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s willy that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;z 4 that each of you should learn to control your own bodya a in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lustb like the pagans,c who do not know God;d 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.b e The Lord will punishf all those who commit such sins,g as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.h 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.i