1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 (NIV2011)
⁵  because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
⁶  You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
⁷  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
⁸  The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

1 Thessalonians 1:4-8 (MSG)
⁴  It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.
⁵  When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you,
⁶  and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.
⁷  Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you?
⁸  The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message!