A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.

Our preaching of the Gospel was not a mere matter of words.  It was done in the power of the Holy Spirit, and with complete conviction.  You know as well as we do the sort of life we led when we were with you, which was for your sake.

You, in your turn, followed the example set by us and by Jesus, receiving the word, despite great trials, with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.  Thus, you have become a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  The word of God rang out from you resoundingly.

This is true not only in Macedonia and Achaia – the news of your faith in God is celebrated everywhere, which makes it needless for us to say anything more.  Other people report to us what kind of a reception we had among you, how you turned from idols to God, to be faithful witnesses of the living and true God, and to await the appearance from heaven of Jesus, who was raised from the dead and will deliver us from the wrath to come.

The Word of God recorded in the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.