[1:3] Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes!
[1:4] He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.
[1:5] Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help.
[1:6] If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure.
[1:7] So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.
[1:8] We want to remind you, friends, of the trouble we had in the province of Asia. The burdens laid upon us were so great and so heavy that we gave up all hope of staying alive.
[1:9] We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead.
[1:10] From such terrible dangers of death he saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in him that he will save us again,
[1:11] as you help us by means of your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us; and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us.