Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians
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But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated 3at Philippi, as you know, 4we had boldness in our God 5to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much 6conflict.
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but just as we have been approved by God 11to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not 12to please man, but to please God 13who tests our hearts.
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14For we never came with words of flattery,b as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--15God is witness.
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16Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, 17though we could have made 18demands as 19apostles of Christ.
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So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God 22but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
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For you remember, brothers, 23our labor and toil: we 24worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
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You are witnesses, and 25God also, 26how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
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we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and 28charged 29you to walk in a manner worthy of God, 30who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
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And 31we also thank God constantlyd for this, that when you received 32the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it 33not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, 34which is at work in you believers.
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For you, brothers, 35became imitators of 36the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For 37you suffered the same things from your own countrymen 38as they did from the Jews,
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39who killed both the Lord Jesus and 40the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and 41oppose all mankind
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42by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved--so as always 43to fill up the measure of their sins. But 44God's wrath has come upon them at last!e
Paul's Longing to See Them Again
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But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, 45in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire 46to see you face to face,
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For what is our hope or 48joy or crown of boasting 49before our Lord Jesus at his 50coming? Is it not you?
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For you are our glory and joy.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)