[1] For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you hasn`t been found
vain, [2] but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you
know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the gospel of God in
much conflict. [3] For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness,
nor in deception. [4] But even as we have been approved by God to be
entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who
tests our hearts. [5] For neither were we at any time found using words of
flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), [6]
nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we
might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. [7] But we were gentle
in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherishes her own children. [8] Even
so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you,
not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become
very dear to us. [9] For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail.
Working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to
you the gospel of God. [10] You are witnesses with God, how holy,
righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.
[11] As you know how we exhorted, comforted, and implored everyone of you,
as a father does his own children, [12] to the end that you should walk
worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. [13] For
this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from
us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men,
but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who
believe. [14] For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God
which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things
from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews; [15] who killed
the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and didn`t please God,
and are contrary to all men; [16] forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles
that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on
them to the uttermost. [17] But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a
short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face
with great desire, [18] because we wanted to come to you -- indeed, I,
Paul, once and again -- but Satan hindered us. [19] For what is our hope,
or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn`t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at
his coming? [20] For you are our glory and our joy.
