1 Thessalonians 2

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1. 1Brothers, you already know that our visit to you wasn't wasted.
2. 2But as you know, even after we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you in much conflict.
3. 3For our exhortation did not come from deceit, impure intentions, or any kind of trickery.
4. 4But just as God approved us and entrusted us with the gospel, so we speak — not to please men, but to please God, who tests our hearts.
5. 5You know we never used flattery, and we never disguised greed behind our message. God is our witness.
6. 6We never chased after praise from anyone — not from you, not from anyone else — even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you.
7. 7Instead, we were gentle with you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children.
8. 8We loved you so deeply that we were happy to share not only God's gospel with you but also our own souls, because you had become so dear to us.
9. 9Brothers, you remember how hard we worked. We labored night and day so we wouldn't be a burden to any of you while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10. 10You are witnesses, and God also, of how holy, just, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe.
11. 11You know how we encouraged, comforted, and solemnly urged each one of you, as a father does his children,
12. 12to live in a way that honors God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory.
13. 13This is also why we constantly thank God: when you heard the word of God from us, you didn't receive it as just a human message. You accepted it for what it truly is — the word of God — and it is actively at work in you who believe.
14. 14Brothers, you followed the example of God's churches in Judea that belong to Christ Jesus. You suffered the same kind of persecution from your own people that they suffered from the Jews —
15. 15the same people who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and who drove us out. They don't please God and are hostile to everyone,
16. 16trying to stop us from speaking to the Gentiles so they might be saved, thus continually adding to their sins. For the wrath has come upon them completely.
17. 17Brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time — physically, not in our hearts — we tried even harder, with intense longing, to see you again face to face.
18. 18We wanted to come back to you — I, Paul, tried more than once — but Satan blocked our way.
19. 19After all, what is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing? Isn't it you — standing before our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20. 20You truly are our glory and our joy.