1 Thessalonians 2:3-7

International Standard Version

³ For our appeal to you^[a] does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. ⁴ Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

⁵ As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! ⁶ We did not seek praise from people—from you or from anyone else— ⁷ even though as apostles of the Messiah^[b] we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle^[c] among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children.