1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

2and so we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you [exhorting, comforting, and establishing you] in regard to your faith,

3so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].

4For even when we were with you, we warned you plainly in advance that we were going to experience persecution; and so, as you know, it has come to pass.