1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain: But even after we had suffered before,
2 and had been shamefully intreated at Philippi, as ye know, we were bold thro' our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation is not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.
4 But as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness: God is witness:
6 Nor sought we glory of men, neither from you, nor from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the Apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle in the midst of you, even as a nurse cherisheth her own children.
8 So, loving you tenderly, we were ready to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls also, because ye were dear to us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses and God, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted every one of you,
12 as a father his own children, And charged you to walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his kingdom and glory.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, even because when ye received the word of God from us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, who likewise effectually worketh in you that believe.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus, which are in Judea; for ye also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, as they likewise from the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: and they please not 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 is come upon them to the uttermost.
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time, in presence, not in heart, laboured with great desire the more abundantly to see your face.
18 Wherefore we would have come to you (even I Paul) once and again, but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not ye also before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.