1 Thessalonians 2

1 For you yourselves, brethren, know that our coming among you was not in vain.

2 But even after we had suffered before and were shamefully treated at Philippi, as ye know, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God amidst much contention.

3 For our exhortation was not from deceit, nor from uncleanness, nor from guile;

4 but as we were allowed by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, even so we speak not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is our witness),

6 nor sought we glory from men, neither from you nor yet from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.

8 So being affectionately desirous for you, we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail; for laboring night and day, because we would not be a burden unto any of you, we preached unto you the Gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you that believe.

11 Ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His Kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also we thank God without ceasing: because when ye received the Word of God, which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also worketh effectually in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Judea which are in Christ Jesus; for ye also have suffered like things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews,

15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. They please not God and are contrary to all men,

16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, thus heaping up their sins always. But the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost!

17 But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a short time (in presence, but not in heart), endeavored the more abundantly and with great desire to see your face.

18 Therefore we would have come unto you -- even I, Paul, time and again -- but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.