13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, ^kbrothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the ^lfirstfruits¹ to be saved, through ^msanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he ⁿcalled you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, ^ostand firm and hold to the ^ptraditions that you were taught by us, ^qeither by our spoken word or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good ^rhope through grace, 17 ^scomfort your hearts and ^testablish them in every good work and word.