We do not give anyone ¹  an occasion for taking an offense in anything, ²  so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

For even when we came into Macedonia, our body ¹  had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way – struggles from the outside, fears from within.

because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, ¹  he is coming ²  to you of his own accord. ³ 

for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, ¹  but are made powerful by God ²  for tearing down strongholds. ³  We tear down arguments ⁴ 

But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which ¹  the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Blessed ¹  is ²  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed ³  us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.

so that we, who were the first to set our hope ¹  on Christ, ²  would be to the praise of his glory.

who is the down payment ¹  of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, ²  to the praise of his glory.

I pray that ¹  the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, ²  may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation ³  in your growing knowledge of him, ⁴ 

For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one ¹  and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility,

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances ¹  and that he may encourage your hearts.

to the saints, the faithful ¹  brothers and sisters ²  in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you ³  from God our Father! ⁴ 

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath. ¹ 

¹  although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became ²  little children ³  among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

We ¹  sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God ²  in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith,

For how can we thank God enough for you, ¹  for all the joy we feel ²  because of you before our God?

But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate ¹  of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. ² 

From Paul ¹  and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians ²  in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

With flaming fire he will mete out ¹  punishment on those who do not know God ²  and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.