RKJNT - I Thessalonians - 2

2:1  For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was not in vain:

2:2  But even after we had already suffered, and were shamefully treated, as you know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God despite much opposition.

2:3  For our exhortation does not spring from error, or impurity, or guile:

2:4  But just as we were approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

2:5  For at no time did we use either flattering words, as you know, or a cloak for greed; as God is witness:

2:6  Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have asserted our authority, as the apostles of Christ.

2:7  But we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cherishes her children:

2:8  So having a yearning affection for you, we were willing to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

2:9  For you remember, brethren, our toil and hardship: we laboured night and day, because we did not want to burden any of you as we preached to you the gospel of God.

2:10  You are witnesses, and so is God, how holy and just and blameless was our behaviour toward you who believe:

2:11  Just as you know how we exhorted and comforted and implored every one of you, as a father does his children,

2:12  That you would walk in a manner worthy of God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory.

2:13  For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which performs its work in you who believe.

2:14  For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea: for you also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews:

2:15  Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. They do not please God, and oppose all men,

2:16  By hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved, thus always filling up their sins to the limit: but wrath has come upon them at last.

2:17  But we, brethren, having been torn from you for a short time, in person, not in heart, endeavoured all the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.

2:18  Therefore, we wanted to come to you, and I, Paul, more than once; but Satan hindered us.

2:19  For what is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Is it not even you?

2:20  For you are our glory and joy.