1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Expanded Bible

⁷ even though as apostles of Christ we could have ·used our authority over you [thrown our weight around; exercised our prerogatives].

But we were very gentle with you,^[a] like a ·mother [nurse; nursing mother] caring for her [^Lown] little children. ⁸ Because we ·loved [had such affection for/devotion to] you, we were ·happy [pleased; delighted] to share not only God’s ·Good News [Gospel] with you, but ·even [also] our own lives. You had become so ·dear [beloved] to us! ⁹ Brothers and sisters, ·I know [surely] you remember our hard work and ·difficulties [hardship; labor]. We worked night and day so we would not burden any of you while we preached God’s ·Good News [Gospel] to you.

¹⁰ When we were with you, we lived in a holy and ·honest [righteous; just] way, ·without fault [blameless; innocent]. You ·know this is true, and so does [^Lare witnesses, and so is] God. ¹¹ You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. ¹² We ·encouraged [exhorted; urged] you, we ·urged [encouraged; comforted] you, and we ·insisted [appealed/bore witness to you] that you ·live good lives for [^Lwalk worthy of] God, who calls you to his ·glorious kingdom [^Lkingdom and glory].