1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Paul's Approach To Ministry In Thessalonica

¹ For ye yourselves know, brothers, our entrance with you, that it has not become empty. ² But having suffered before and been mistreated in Philippi, as ye know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the good-news of God within much conflict. ³ For our exhortation is not from error, nor from uncleanness, nor in deception, ⁴ but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good-news, thus we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts. ⁵ For we came neither in word of flattery (at any time as ye know) nor a pretense of greed (God is witness) ⁶ nor seeking glory from men, neither from you nor from others. While able to bear down as apostles of Christ, ⁷ nevertheless we became gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherishes her own children. ⁸ Thus being desirous of you, we were pleased to impart to you, not only the good-news of God, but also our own souls, because ye have become beloved to us. ⁹ For ye remember, brothers, our labor and the hardship. For, laboring night and day in order not to burden any of you, we preached to you the good-news of God. ¹⁰ Ye are witnesses, and God, how piously and justly and blamelessly we became to you who believe, ¹¹ just as ye know, as each one of you as a father of his own children, imploring you, and comforting, ¹² and solemnly declaring for you to walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.