1 Thessalonians 2:1–10

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you^d was not without results.^{e 2}We had previously suffered^f and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^g as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^{h 3}For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,ⁱ nor are we trying to trick you.^{j 4}On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^k We are not trying to please people^l but God, who tests our hearts.^{m 5}You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greedⁿ—God is our witness.^{o 6}We were not looking for praise from people,^p not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^q of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^{r 7}Instead, we were like young children^a among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^{s 8}so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^t but our lives as well.^{u 9}Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^v night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^w while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰You are witnesses,^x and so is God,^y of how holy,^z righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.