The First to the Thessalonians

2 To be sure, YOU yourselves know, brothers, how our visit+ to YOU has not been without results,+ 2 but how, after we had first suffered+ and been insolently treated+ (just as YOU know) in Phi·lipʹpi,+ we mustered up boldness* by means of our God to speak+ to YOU the good news of God with a great deal of struggling. 3 For the exhortation we give does not arise from error or from uncleanness+ or with deceit, 4 but, just as we have been proved by God as fit to be entrusted+ with the good news, so we speak, as pleasing,+ not men, but God, who makes proof of our hearts.+

5 In fact, at no time have we turned up either with flattering speech,+ (just as YOU know) or with a false front*+ for covetousness,+ God is witness! 6 Neither have we been seeking glory from men,+ no, either from YOU or from others, though we could be an expensive burden*+ as apostles of Christ. 7 To the contrary, we became gentle* in the midst of YOU, as when a nursing mother cherishes+ her own children. 8 So, having a tender affection for YOU,+ we were well pleased to impart to YOU, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls,*+ because YOU became beloved+ to us.

9 Certainly YOU bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working+ night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of YOU,+ that we preached the good news of God to YOU. 10 YOU are witnesses, God is also, how loyal and righteous and unblamable+ we proved to be to YOU believers. 11 In harmony with that YOU well know how, as a father+ does his children, we kept exhorting+ each one of YOU, and consoling and bearing witness to YOU, 12 to the end that YOU should go on walking+ worthily of God who is calling+ YOU to his kingdom+ and glory.

13 Indeed, that is why we also thank God incessantly,+ because when YOU received God’s word,+ which YOU heard from us, YOU accepted it, not as the word of men,+ but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which* is also at work in YOU believers.+ 14 For YOU became imitators,* brothers, of the congregations of God that are in Ju·deʹa in union with Christ Jesus, because YOU also began suffering+ at the hands of YOUR own countrymen the same things as they also [are suffering] at the hands of the Jews, 15 who killed even the Lord Jesus+ and the prophets+ and persecuted us.+ Furthermore, they are not pleasing God, but are against [the interests of] all men, 16 as they try to hinder*+ us from speaking to people of the nations that these might be saved,+ with the result that they always fill up the measure+ of their sins. But his* wrath has at length* come upon them.+

17 As for ourselves, brothers, when we were bereaved* of YOU for but a short time,* in person, not in heart, we endeavored far more than is usual to see YOUR faces with great desire.+ 18 For this reason we wanted to come to YOU, yes, I Paul, both once and a second time, but Satan cut across our path. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown+ of exultation—why, is it not in fact YOU?—before our Lord Jesus at his presence?*+ 20 YOU certainly are our glory and joy.