1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Contemporary English Version

Paul's Work in Thessalonica

2 My friends, you know our time with you wasn't wasted. ^2 (A) As you remember, we had been mistreated and insulted at Philippi. But God gave us the courage to tell you the good news about him, even though many people caused us trouble. ³ We didn't have any hidden motives when we won you over, and we didn't try to fool or trick anyone. ⁴ God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn't speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.

⁵ You also know we didn't try to flatter anyone. God himself knows what we did wasn't a cover-up for greed. ⁶ We were not trying to get you or anyone else to praise us. ⁷ But as apostles, we could have demanded help from you. After all, Christ is the one who sent us. We chose to be like children or like a mother^[a] nursing her baby. ⁸ We cared so much for you, and you became so dear to us, that we were willing to give our lives for you when we gave you God's message.

⁹ My dear friends, you surely haven't forgotten our hard work and hardships. You remember how night and day we struggled to make a living, so we could tell you God's message without being a burden to anyone. ¹⁰ Both you and God are witnesses that we were pure and honest and innocent in our dealings with you followers of the Lord. ¹¹ You also know we did everything for you that parents would do for their own children. ¹² We begged, encouraged, and urged each of you to live in a way that would honor God. He is the one who chose you to share in his own kingdom and glory.