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 because we have been approved of God that he might entrust us with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries 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 of men neither of you nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome unto you as the apostles of Christ.


Cross References

Acts 20:33

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

Romans 1:9

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

2 Peter 2:3

and in covetousness they shall make merchandise of you with feigned words, upon whom the condemnation from a long time ago does not delay, and their perdition does not sleep.

Job 17:5

He that speaks flattery to his neighbour, even the eyes of his sons shall fail.

Job 32:21-22

I will not now be a respecter of persons, neither will I give flattering titles unto man.

Psalm 12:2-3

Each one speaks vanity with his neighbour: they speak with flattering lips and with a double heart.

Proverbs 20:19

He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips.

Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 28:23

He that rebukes a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

Isaiah 30:10

Who say to those that see, See not; and to the prophets, Do not prophesy right things unto us, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Isaiah 56:11

And these anxious dogs are insatiable, and even the shepherds did not know enough to understand: they all look to their own ways, each one for his gain, from his quarter.

Jeremiah 6:13

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them each one is given to greed; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one deals falsely.

Jeremiah 8:10

Therefore I will give their wives unto others and their fields unto those that shall inherit them: for each one from the least even unto the greatest is given to greed; from the prophet even unto the priest every one deals falsely.

Micah 3:5

Thus hath the LORD said concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that does not give them something to eat, they even prepare war against him.

Malachi 1:10

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors or tend the fire on my altar for free? I have no pleasure in you, said the LORD of the hosts, neither will the offering from your hand be agreeable unto me.

Matthew 22:16

And they sent out unto him their disciples with those of Herod, saying, Master, we know that thou art a lover of truth and teachest the way of God with truth and that thou takest care for no man, for thou art no respecter of persons of men.

Matthew 23:13

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of the heavens in front of men, for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye those that are entering to go in.

Romans 9:1

I say the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

Romans 16:18

For they that are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by smooth words and blessings deceive the hearts of the simple.

2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as many, false merchandisers of the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2

but remove from ourselves every hidden shameful thing, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God, but in the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 7:2

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent unto you?

Galatians 1:20

Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I do not lie.

1 Thessalonians 2:10

Ye are witnesses, and God also, of how holy and just and irreprehensible our behaviour was among you that believe,

1 Timothy 3:3

not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

1 Timothy 3:8

Likewise the deacons must be honest, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain;

Titus 1:7

For the bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God; not arrogant, not quick to anger, not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain,

1 Peter 5:2

Feed the flock of God which is among you, caring for her, not by force, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with willing desire;

2 Peter 2:14-15

having their eyes full of adultery, and not knowing how to cease from sin, baiting unstable souls, having their heart exercised in covetous practices; cursed sons,

2 Peter 2:18

For speaking arrogant words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from those who converse in error,

Jude 1:11

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Revelation 18:12-13

The merchandise of gold and of silver and of precious stones and of pearls and of fine linen and of purple and of silk and of scarlet and of all thyine wood and of all manner vessels of ivory and of all manner vessels of most precious wood and of brass and of iron and of 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

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