1 Thessalonians 2:5-12

English Standard Version

⁵^(A)For we never came with words of flattery,^[a] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—^(B)God is witness. ⁶^(C)Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, ^(D)though we could have made ^(E)demands as ^(F)apostles of Christ. ⁷But we were ^(G)gentle^[b] among you, ^(H)like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God ^(I)but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

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