1 Thessalonians 2

1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you has not been fruitless.

2But even after suffering beforehand and being outrageously treated, as you know, in Philippi, we spoke boldly in our God to declare to you the gospel of God amid much conflict.

3For our exhortation is not from deception, nor from impurity, nor in guile.

4But 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 neither were we ever found using flattering language, as you know, nor a pretext for greed—God is witness.

6nor did we seek glory from people, neither from you nor from others.

7We could have burdened you as Christ's apostles, but we were gentle among you, like a nurse who cherishes her own children.

8So, yearning for you, we were eager to share with you not only God's gospel but also our very lives, because you had become dear to us.

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

10You and God are witnesses to how piously, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe.

11As you know how we cared for each one of you, as a father does his own children.

12We urged you, encouraged you, and charged you to walk worthily of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

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

14For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you too suffered those same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Jews.

15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, persecuted us, do not please God, and oppose all people.

16hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come upon them to the end.

17But we, brothers, having been orphaned from you for a brief season—in person, not in heart—strove all the more to see your face with intense longing.

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

19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Is it not even you before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

20For you are our glory and joy.