because our gospel did not come to you with word only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, just as you know what sort of [people] we became among you for your sake.

but [after we] had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, just as you know, we had the courage in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.

{For never} did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God [is] witness),

{Although we could have insisted on our own importance} as apostles of Christ, yet we became infants in your midst, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

just as you know how [we treated] each one of you, like a father his own children,

And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that [when you] received God's word {that you heard} from us, you accepted [it] not [as the] word of men, but as [it] truly is, [the] word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

For you became imitators, brothers, of the churches of God [which] are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you also suffered the same [things] at the hands of your own people, just as [they] themselves [did] also at the hands of the Jews,

for indeed when we were with you we told you beforehand that we were about to be afflicted, just as indeed it happened, and you know.

But now, [because] Timothy has come to us from you and has brought good news to us of your faith and love, and that {you always think kindly of us}, desiring to see us just as also we [desire to see] you,

and [may] the Lord [cause] you to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we [do] for you,

Finally therefore, brothers, we ask you and appeal to [you] in the Lord Jesus that, just as you have received from us how it is necessary for you to live and to please God, just as indeed you are living, that you progress even more.

not in lustful passion, just as also the Gentiles who do not know God;

not to transgress and to exploit his brother in the matter, because the Lord [is] the one who avenges concerning all these [things], just as also we told you beforehand and testified solemnly.

and to aspire to live a quiet life, and to attend to {your own business}, and to work with your hands, just as we commanded you,

Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope.

for [you] yourselves well know that the day of the Lord is coming in the [same] way as a thief in the night.

But [because] we are of the day, we must be sober, [by] putting on the breastplate of faith and love and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation,

Therefore encourage one another and build up {each other}, just as indeed you are doing.

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you,