1 Thessalonians 2

1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain,

2But after we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated, as you know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you amid much conflict.

3For our appeal does not come from error or impurity or deceit,

4But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak—not as pleasing people, but God, who tests our hearts.

5For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

6nor seeking glory from people, neither from you nor from others,

7though we could have been a burden as apostles of the Messiah, yet we became gentle among you, as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

8So, longing for you in this way, we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

9For you remember, brothers, our labor and hardship: working night and day so as not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

10You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe,

11just as you know, we dealt with each one of you as a father with his own children

12encouraging, comforting, and urging you to walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13And because of this we also thank God continually, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is also at work in you who believe.

14For you became imitators, brothers, of the churches of God that are in Judea in Messiah Jesus, because you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Jews.

15who also killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and are not pleasing to God, and are hostile to all people,

16by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last.

17But we, brothers, having been torn away from you for a short time—in person, not in heart—were all the more eager, with great longing, to see your face.

18Because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

19For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting—is it not indeed you?—before our Lord Jesus at his coming.

20For you are our glory and joy.