1 Thessalonians 2
Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our acoming to you bwas not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated aat Philippi, as you know, bwe had boldness in our God cto declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much dconflict. 3 For aour appeal does not spring from berror or cimpurity or dany attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God ato be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not bto please man, but to please God cwho tests our hearts. 5 aFor we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—bGod is witness. 6 aNor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, bthough we could have made cdemands as dapostles of Christ. 7 But we were agentle among you, blike a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God abut also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, aour labor and toil: we bworked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and aGod also, bhow holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, alike a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and acharged byou to walk in a manner worthy of God, cwho calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And awe also thank God constantly for this, that when you received bthe word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it cnot as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, dwhich is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, abecame imitators of bthe churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For cyou suffered the same things from your own countrymen das they did from the Jews, 15 awho killed both the Lord Jesus and bthe prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and coppose all mankind 16 aby hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always bto fill up the measure of their sins. But cwrath has come upon them at last!
Paul’s Longing to See Them Again
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, ain person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire bto see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan ahindered us. 19 For what is our hope or ajoy or crown of boasting bbefore our Lord Jesus at his ccoming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.