1 Thessalonians 2
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1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.1You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.2We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.4On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.
6Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.6We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.
7But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.7Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,
8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.8so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
9For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.9Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
11as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews
15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone
16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
17But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.17But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.
18Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.18For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan blocked our way.
19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
20For you are our glory and joy.20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.New International Version (NIV)

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1 Thessalonians 1
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