1 Thessalonians 2
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
For you yourselves know, brothers, that my visit to you did not fail of its purpose;
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
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 our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
For my preaching was not grounded on a delusion, or on impure motives, on in deceit.
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
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 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
For as you well know, I never resorted to flattery, nor to any pretext for enriching myself. God is my witness!
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles 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 we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
On the contrary I showed myself among you as gentle as a mother, when she tenderly nurses her own children.
8 So being affectionately desirous of 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.
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 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
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 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
You are witnesses - and so is God - how pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers.
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his 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 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
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 For ye, brethren, became followers of the Assemblies of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
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 both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
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 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
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 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
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 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
For that reason I would fain have visited you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered me.
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?
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 For ye are our glory and joy.
For you are my pride and my delight.
