And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, in that you received the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified, and going in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, were multiplying.

And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which are in Christ.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

For even when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we were going to be afflicted, just as it also happened, and you know.

Now traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

interpreting and pointing out that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to arise from the dead, and [saying] that "This is the Christ, Jesus, whom I proclaim to you."

And the Jews who did not believe took some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, [they] threw the city into disorder, and came upon the house of Jason, and sought to bring them to the people.

whom Jason has received; and these all practice contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king--Jesus."

Now we make known to you brothers, the grace of God which has been given to the churches of Macedonia,

how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity.

Now Saul was agreeing with them in his murder. And in that day there arose a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they all were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

But Saul was doing injury to the church, going in from house to house, and dragging away both men and women, and committing them to prison.

Then Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many wicked things he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem;

Then those who were scattered because of the tribulation coming about over Stephen, went about as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews only.

Now at that time Herod the king put [forth] his hands to harm some from the church.

And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded further to arrest Peter also (and then were the Days of Unleavened Bread),

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up both prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears to the [One] who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His fear of God,

though He was a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

in part being exposed publicly, both to reproaches and to afflictions, and in part having become partners of those treated in this way.

For you sympathized with me in my chains, and you received the plunder of your possessions with joy, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and enduring possession in heaven.