[1 Thessalonians 2]

 

             ^2:1 For^* brethren, you^° yourselves know our entrance to you^°, that it has not become empty. ^2:2 But we suffered before and have been abused in Philippi {Acts 16:12-40}, just-as you^° know, we were bold in our God to speak to you^° the good-news of God, even in our large struggle.

             ^2:3 For^* our encouragement is not from deceit, nor from uncleanness, nor in treachery. ^2:4 But just-as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good-news, so we are speaking, not as pleasing men, but it is God who tests our hearts. ^2:5 For^* just-as you^° know (God is witness), we previously came^* neither with flattering speech, nor in a pretext of greed, ^2:6 nor seeking glory from men, neither from you^°, nor from others, while being able to be in any way a burden to you^° as apostles of Christ. ^2:7 But we became mild in your^° midst, as a nurse would cherish her own children. ^2:8 So we have kindly-feelings of you^°, and we were delighted to give to you^° not only the good-news of God, but also our own souls, because you^° have become beloved to us.

             ^2:9 For^* brethren, you^° remember our labor and hardship. For^* while working night and day, in-order-to not burden any of you^°, we preached to you^° the good-news of God. ^2:10 You^° and God are witnesses, as we became holy and righteous and blameless toward you^° who believe. ^2:11 Just-as you^° know (as each one of you^° like a father is to his children) we were encouraging you^° and consoling you^{° 2:12} and testifying, ^*that^* you^° should walk worthy of God, who is calling you^° into his own kingdom and glory.

 

             ^2:13 We also are constantly giving-thanks to God because of this, that after you^° received the word of God from our report, you^° accepted it not as the word of men, but just-as it truly is, the word of God, which is also working in you^° who believe. ^2:14 For^* brethren, you^° became imitators of the congregations^* of God, which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you^° also suffered the same things by your^° own countrymen, just-as they themselves also by the Jews. ^2:15 The Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and banished us, and were not pleasing to God, and are adverse to all men, ^2:16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles in-order-that they might be saved, ^*that^* they should always fill up their sins; but the wrath has arrived-unexpectedly upon them to the end.

 

             ^2:17 But brethren, we were orphaned away from you^° for an hour’s time in face {i.e., a period of time in person} but not in heart, we were even-more diligent to see your^° face in much desire. ^2:18 Hence, we wished to come to you^°, indeed, I, Paul, even once and then twice, and yet the Adversary hindered us. ^2:19 For^* what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting, or is it not also you^°, which is before our Lord Jesus at his presence? ^2:20 For^* you^° are our glory and our joy.