1 Thessalonians 1:9-2:12

English Standard Version

⁹ For they themselves report concerning us the kind of ^(A)reception we had among you, and how ^(B)you turned to God ^(C)from idols to serve the living and ^(D)true God, ¹⁰ and ^(E)to wait for his Son ^(F)from heaven, ^(G)whom he raised from the dead, Jesus ^(H)who delivers us from ^(I)the wrath to come.

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers,^[a] that our ^(J)coming to you ^(K)was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated ^(L)at Philippi, as you know, ^(M)we had boldness in our God ^(N)to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much ^(O)conflict. ³ For ^(P)our appeal does not spring from ^(Q)error or ^(R)impurity or ^(S)any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God ^(T)to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not ^(U)to please man, but to please God ^(V)who tests our hearts. ^5 (W)For we never came with words of flattery,^[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—^(X)God is witness. ^6 (Y)Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, ^(Z)though we could have made ^(AA)demands as ^(AB)apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were ^(AC)gentle^[c] among you, ^(AD)like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God ^(AE)but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, ^(AF)our labor and toil: we ^(AG)worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and ^(AH)God also, ^(AI)how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, ^(AJ)like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and ^(AK)charged ^(AL)you to walk in a manner worthy of God, ^(AM)who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.