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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 Recalls His Visit to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his[a] gospel in spite of strong opposition. For our appeal to you[b] does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. 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.

As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! We did not seek praise from people—from you or from anyone else— even though as apostles of the Messiah[c] we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle[d] among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us. Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you. 10 You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe. 11 You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats[e] his children. 12 We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls[f] you into his kingdom and glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Lit. God’s
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 The Gk. lacks to you
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or Christ
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Other mss. read infants
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 The Gk. lacks treats
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 Other mss. read called