because our Gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we became toward you, for your sake.

And ye became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with joy of the Holy Spirit;

so that ye became a model to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

But we became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherishes her own children:

so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls, because ye became dear to us.

For ye, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies of God, that are in Judaea in Christ Jesus; because ye suffered the same things from your own countrymen, as they also did from the Jews;