Paul Recalls His Visit to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. ² 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. ³ For our appeal to you^[b] 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^[c] we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle^[d] among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. ⁸ 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. ⁹ 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.