1 Thessalonians 2
1 Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know what our visit meant to you, and that it wasn't wasted!
For you yourselves know, brothers, that my visit to you did not fail of its purpose;
2 You'll recall that after having had much trouble and bad treatment at Philippi, with the help of God we still dared to share God's good news with you, despite the opposition we faced.
for you remember that although I had already borne ill-treatment and insult at Philippi, I took courage in my God to tell you the gospel of God, in the face of much opposition.
3 For what we speak about isn't deceptive, or worthless, or fraudulent.
For my preaching was not grounded on a delusion, or on impure motives, on in deceit.
4 On the contrary, we have God's approval for what we say—he's entrusted us with sharing the good news. We don't set out to please people, but God. He's the one who judges our motives.
But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.
5 As you know, we've never used flattering words. Nor were we covering up some greedy, selfish attitude—as God is our witness!
For as you well know, I never resorted to flattery, nor to any pretext for enriching myself. God is my witness!
6 We weren't trying to win anybody's praise—not from you, nor anyone else. We could have become a “burden” to you as messengers of Christ,
Now was I seeking glory from men, either yourselves or others, although I might have exercised authority as Christ’s apostle.
7 but instead we acted kindly among you, like a mother caring for her own children.
On the contrary I showed myself among you as gentle as a mother, when she tenderly nurses her own children.
8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not just God's good news, but also our very own selves, because you had become so dear to us.
So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.
9 Don't you remember, brothers and sisters, all our hard work— working day and night so we wouldn't be a burden to any of you as we shared God's good news with you?
You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You yourselves can testify as to how we acted, and God can too—how we treated you believers with a holy attitude, fairly and blamelessly.
You are witnesses - and so is God - how pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers.
11 You know how we cared for every one of you like a father caring for his own children. We encouraged you, comforted you, and shared with you our experience
You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children,
12 so that you could live as God would want you to live—the God who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.
exhorting and imploring and adjuring each one among you to lead a life worthy of the God who called you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 Another thing: we're always thanking God that when you heard and accepted the word of God, you didn't treat it as some human words, but what it truly is, the word of God. This is what is at work in those of you who trust in him.
For this reason also I am giving continual thanks to God, because when you heard from me the spoken word of God, you received it not as the word of men, but as the word of God (which in truth it is), who himself is effectually at work in you believe.
14 The experience you brothers and sisters have had imitates that of God's churches that belong to Christ Jesus in Judaea. Just like your fellow Jewish Christians you suffered as they did at the hands of the Jewish leaders
For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews -
15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and chased us out. They don't please God and they are hostile to everyone,
The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out - they are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.
16 trying to prevent us from speaking to the other nations to prevent them from being saved. They're always sinning to the maximum extent, but for them full judgment has arrived!
They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full!
17 Brothers and sisters, since we felt as if we'd experienced a family separation because we hadn't seen you for a while (separated physically though not in spirit), we tried even harder to come and see you again face to face because that's what we wanted to do.
But I, my brothers, although torn from you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made eager efforts to behold you face to face with strong longing.
18 We really wanted to come and visit you, and I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan stopped us.
For that reason I would fain have visited you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered me.
19 For what gives us hope, what makes us happy, what we are really proud of as we stand before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back—is having you there too!
For what is my hope, or joy? What is the victor’s wreath in which I exult? What but your own selves in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming!
20 You are our pride and joy!
For you are my pride and my delight.
