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 We always speak, as God wants us to. He has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives (examines our hearts). 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6 We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you.

Cross References

Acts 20:33

I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or clothes.

Romans 1:9

God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (whole heart and mind) in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

2 Peter 2:3

They speak evil words about you because of their extreme greed. They will exploit you with false evil words. Their judgment from long ago is not idle. Their destruction will not delay.

Job 17:5

Whoever turns in friends to get their property should have his children's eyesight fail.

Job 32:21-22

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

Psalm 12:2-3

People speak lies to one another. They speak with flattering lips and with double-heart. (Double Heart: They say one thing but mean another.)

Proverbs 20:19

A gossip reveals secrets. So avoid a man who speaks flattering words.

Proverbs 26:28

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

Proverbs 28:23

He who reproves a man later find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

Isaiah 30:10

They say to the seers: Do not see the future. They say to those who have visions: 'Do not have visions that tell us what is right. Tell us what we want to hear. Prophesy illusions.

Isaiah 56:11

They are dogs with mighty appetites. They never have enough! They are shepherds who lack understanding. They all turn to their own way and each one seeks dishonest (unjust) gain.

Jeremiah 6:13

From the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain! From the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely!

Jeremiah 8:10

So I will give their wives to other men. I will give their fields to new owners. From the least even to the greatest everyone is greedy for gain. From the prophet even to the priest everyone is deceitful.

Micah 3:5

Jehovah spoke concerning the prophets: They make my people stray. They bite with their teeth and cry, Peace, but receive nothing in their mouths. They declare holy war on him.

Malachi 1:10

Jehovah of Hosts continues: Is there one among you who will shut the Temple doors to prevent lighting a useless fire on my altar. I am not pleased with you! I will not accept the offerings you bring me.

Matthew 22:16

They sent their disciples with the Herodians to Jesus. They said: Teacher we know you are truthful. You teach the way of God in truth. And you are not partial to the influence of men.

Matthew 23:13

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter.

Romans 9:1

I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie! My conscience bears witness with me in Holy Spirit.

Romans 16:18

They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unaware.

2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but sincere and from God. We speak in Christ in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 4:2

We have renounced the hidden things of shame. And we do not walk in craftiness and deceit. We do not adulterate the word of God. But by the manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 7:2

Open your hearts to us. We wronged no person. We wronged and corrupted no one. We took advantage of no person.

2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I gain you by any of them whom I sent to you?

Galatians 1:20

What I write is true. God knows I do not lie.

1 Thessalonians 2:10

You and God are witnesses, how devoutly and righteously, without blame, we behaved toward you who believe!

1 Timothy 3:3

not addicted to wine, not quarrelsome; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

1 Timothy 3:8

Ministerial servants should likewise be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.

Titus 1:7

The overseer must be blameless as God's steward. He must not be self-willed, not prone to anger, not a brawler, and not violent (quarrelsome) (pugnacious), not greedy of dishonest gain.

1 Peter 5:2

Shepherd the flock of God in your care. Exercise the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God. Do not do it for dishonest gain, but eagerly.

2 Peter 2:14-15

They have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sin! They entice unsteady persons. Their hearts are full of covetousness. They are children of cursing.

2 Peter 2:18

For, uttering arrogant words of vanity, they entice in the desires (lusts) of the flesh, by sensuality (lasciviousness), those who are just escaping from the ones who live in error.

Jude 1:11

Woe to them! They went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the rebellious talk of Korah.

Revelation 18:12-13

The merchandise of gold and silver and precious stones, and of pearls, fine linen, purple and silk, scarlet, and everything in scented wood, all manner of ivory and all manner of most precious wood, of brass and 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

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