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.

¹³ We always thank God that you believed the message we preached. It came from him, and it isn't something made up by humans. You accepted it as God's message, and now he is working in you.