1 Thessalonians

2 For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance which was unto you—that it hath not proved void;

2 But though we had previously suffered and been insulted even as ye know in Philippi We waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the glad-message of God with much conflict.

3 For our exhortation is not of error nor of uncleanness nor in guile,

4 But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the glad-message so we speak,—Not as unto men giving pleasure But unto God—who proveth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery—even as ye know, Nor a pretext for greed—God is witness!

6 Nor of men seeking glory—either from you or from others, Though we could have assumed dignity as Apostles of Christ;

7 But we became gentle in your midst,—As though a nursing mother had been cherishing her own children:

8 Thus yearning after you we could have been well-pleased to impart unto you—Not only the glad-message of God, But our own lives also,—Because very dear to us had ye become.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our toil and hardship: Night and day working so as not to be a burden unto any of you We proclaimed unto you the glad-message of God.

10 Ye are witnesses—God also, How kindly and righteously and blamelessly unto you who were believing we were found to behave;

11 Even as ye know how unto each one of you we were as a father unto his own children, Consoling you and soothing and calling to witness,—

12 To the end ye might be walking in a manner worthy of God who is calling you unto his own kingdom and glory.

13 And for this cause we are also giving thanks unto God unceasingly, That when ye received a spoken word from us—which was God’s Ye welcomed it—Not as a human word, But even as it truly is a divine word,—Which is also inwardly working itself in you who believe.

14 For ye became imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus, In that the same things ye also suffered by your own fellow-countrymen even as they also by the Jews:—

15 Who have both slain the Lord Jesus—and the prophets, And us have persecuted, And unto God are displeasing, And unto all men are contrary,—

16 Hindering us from speaking unto the nations that they might be saved To the filling up of their own sins continually; But anger hath overtaken them at length.

17 Now we brethren having been bereaved away from you for the season of an hour,—in presence, not in heart Gave more abundant diligence your face to behold with much longing;

18 Wherefore we desired to come unto you—Even I, Paul, both once and again—And Satan thwarted us.

19 For what shall be our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Shall not even ye before our Lord Jesus in his Presence?

20 Ye in fact are our glory and joy.