1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Conduct

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But ¹even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at ^aPhilippi, as you know, we were ^bbold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 ^aFor our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as ^awe have been approved by God ^bto be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, ^cnot as pleasing men, but God ^dwho tests our hearts. 5 For ^aneither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a ¹cloak for covetousness—^bGod is witness. 6 ^aNor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ^bwe might have ^cmade demands ^das apostles of Christ. 7 But ^awe were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ^ato impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ^bour own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our ^alabor and toil; for laboring night and day, ^bthat we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 ^aYou are witnesses, and God also, ^bhow devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and ¹charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 ^athat you would walk worthy of God ^bwho calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Their Conversion

13 For this reason we also thank God ^awithout ceasing, because when you ^breceived the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it ^cnot as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively ^dworks in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators ^aof the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For ^byou also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 ^awho killed both the Lord Jesus and ^btheir own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God ^cand are ¹contrary to all men, 16 ^aforbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always ^bto fill up the measure of their sins; ^cbut wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Longing to See Them

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time ^ain presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but ^aSatan hindered us. 19 For ^awhat is our hope, or joy, or ^bcrown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the ^cpresence of our Lord Jesus Christ ^dat His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

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