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Entrusted with the Gospel

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our (A)entrance to you (B)was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been (C)mistreated in (D)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (E)to speak to you the (F)gospel of God amid much (G)struggle. For our (H)exhortation does not come from (I)error or (J)impurity or [a]by way of (K)deceit; (L)but just as we have been approved by God to be (M)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, (N)not as pleasing men, but God who [b](O)examines our hearts. For we never came with a flattering word, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext for greed—(Q)God is witness— nor (R)seeking glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as (S)apostles of Christ we [c]could have been a burden to you. But we [d]proved to be [e](T)gentle [f]among you, (U)as a nursing mother [g]tenderly cares for her own children. In this way, having fond affection for you, we were pleased to (V)impart to you not only the (W)gospel of God but also our own [h]lives, because you had become beloved to us.

For you remember, brothers, our (X)labor and hardship, how (Y)working night and day so as not to be a (Z)burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the (AA)gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, of (AC)how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we [i]behaved toward you [j]believers; 11 just as you know how we were (AD)exhorting and encouraging and (AE)bearing witness to each one of you as (AF)a father would his own children, 12 so that you would (AG)walk in a manner worthy of the God who (AH)calls you into His own kingdom and (AI)glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit are able to be
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss babes
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you(A) was not without results.(B) We had previously suffered(C) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,(D) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.(E) For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,(F) nor are we trying to trick you.(G) On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.(H) We are not trying to please people(I) but God, who tests our hearts.(J) You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed(K)—God is our witness.(L) We were not looking for praise from people,(M) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles(N) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.(O) Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,(P) so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God(Q) but our lives as well.(R) Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked(S) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone(T) while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses,(U) and so is God,(V) of how holy,(W) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,(X) 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy(Y) of God, who calls(Z) you into his kingdom and glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle