Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—

King James Version

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Holman Bible

For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness

International Standard Version

As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness!

A Conservative Version

For we came neither in word of flattery (at any time as ye know) nor a pretense of greed (God is witness)

American Standard Version

For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;

Amplified

For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—

An Understandable Version

For we were never found using flattering words at any time, as you know, nor did we try to cover up any greedy desires. God can testify [to this].

Anderson New Testament

For neither nattering words did we at any time use, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness:

Bible in Basic English

For it is common knowledge among you that we never made use of smooth-sounding false words, and God is witness that at no time were we secretly desiring profit for ourselves,

Common New Testament

For, as you know, we never used flattery nor a pretext for greed God is witness

Daniel Mace New Testament

our address to you was without any flattery, as you yourselves can witness, and God is witness that we had no avarice to disguise.

Darby Translation

For we have not at any time been among you with flattering discourse, even as ye know, nor with a pretext for covetousness, God is witness;

Godbey New Testament

For at that time we were not in word of flattery, as you know, nor in a pretext of covetousness, God is our witness;

Goodspeed New Testament

We never used flattery, as you know, or found pretexts for making money, as God is our witness.

John Wesley New Testament

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness: God is witness:

Julia Smith Translation

For neither once in word were we flatterers, as ye know, neither in a pretext of covetousness; God the witness:

King James 2000

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

Lexham Expanded Bible

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

Modern King James verseion

For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor with pretense of covetousness; God is witness.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Neither was our conversation at any time with flattering words - as ye well know - neither in cloaked covetousness, God is record:

Moffatt New Testament

We never resorted to flattery (you know that), nor to any pretext for self-seeking (God is witness to that);

Montgomery New Testament

For as you well know, I never resorted to flattery, nor to any pretext for enriching myself. God is my witness!

NET Bible

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed -- God is our witness --

New Heart English Bible

For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

Noyes New Testament

For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;

Sawyer New Testament

For we used at no time a word of flattery, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness, God is witness,

The Emphasized Bible

For neither at any time were we found, using words of flattery, - even as ye know, nor a pretext for greed - God, is witness!

Thomas Haweis New Testament

For neither at any time used we insinuating language, as ye know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness:

Twentieth Century New Testament

Never at any time, as you know, did we use the language of flattery, or make false professions in order to hide selfish aims. God will bear witness to that.

Webster

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Weymouth New Testament

For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves--God is our witness;

Williams New Testament

Indeed, we never resorted to flattery, as you are well aware, nor to any pretext for making money; God is our witness.

World English Bible

For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

Worrell New Testament

For neither, at any time, did we use a word of flattery, as ye know, nor a semblance of covetousness, God is witness;

Worsley New Testament

For neither at any time used we flattering speech, as ye know, nor covetous pretence, God is witness:

Youngs Literal Translation

for at no time did we come with speech of flattery, (as ye have known,) nor in a pretext for covetousness, (God is witness!)

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
For
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

οὔτε 
Oute 
neither, nor, nor yet, no not, not, yet not,
Usage: 68

at any time
ποτέ 
Pote 
in time past, at any time, in times past, sometimes, sometime, once, not tr,
Usage: 28

used we
γίνομαι 
Ginomai 
be, come to pass, be made, be done, come, become, God forbid , arise, have, be fulfilled, be married to, be preferred, not tr, , vr done
Usage: 531

κολακεία 
Kolakeia 
Usage: 1

λόγος 
Logos 
word, saying, account, speech, Word , thing, not tr,
Usage: 256

as
καθώς 
Kathos 
as, even as, according as, when, according to, how, as well as
Usage: 141

ye know
εἴδω 
Eido 
Usage: 519

nor
οὔτε 
Oute 
neither, nor, nor yet, no not, not, yet not,
Usage: 68

a cloke
πρόφασις 
Prophasis 
Usage: 3

πλεονεξία 
Pleonexia 
Usage: 8

God
θεός 
theos 
Usage: 1151

Context Readings

Paul's Approach To Ministry In Thessalonica

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

Cross References

Acts 20:33

I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

Romans 1:9

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you

2 Peter 2:3

And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Job 17:5

He who informs against his friends to get a share of their property-- the eyes of his children will fail.

Job 32:21-22

I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.

Psalm 12:2-3

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

Proverbs 20:19

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 28:23

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.

Isaiah 30:10

who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,

Isaiah 56:11

The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

Jeremiah 6:13

"For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.

Jeremiah 8:10

Therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to conquerors, because from the least to the greatest everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.

Micah 3:5

Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry "Peace" when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.

Malachi 1:10

Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

Matthew 22:16

And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.

Romans 9:1

I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--

Romans 16:18

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 7:2

Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.

2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?

Galatians 1:20

(In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)

1 Thessalonians 2:10

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

1 Timothy 3:3

not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Timothy 3:8

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

Titus 1:7

For an overseer,as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

1 Peter 5:2

shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

2 Peter 2:14-15

They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

2 Peter 2:18

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

Jude 1:11

Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.

Revelation 18:12-13

cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain