1Thessalonians:2

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* For ye yourselves know , brethren , that our coming among you hath not been in vain ; * but after we had suffered before and had been shamefully treated , as ye know , at Philippi , we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict . * For our teaching is not from error , nor from impurity , nor in guile ; * but as we have been regarded by God as worthy to be intrusted with the gospel , so we speak , not as pleasing men , but God , who trieth our hearts . * For neither at any time did we use flattering words , as ye know , nor a cloak of covetousness , God is witness ; * nor from men sought we glory , either from you , or from others ; though we might have used authority as apostles of Christ . * But we were gentle in the midst of you , even as a nurse cherisheth her own children ; * so having a strong affection for you , we were willing to impart to you , not only the gospel of God , but also our own souls , because ye became dear to us . * For ye remember , brethren , our labor and toil , how laboring night and day , that we might not be burdensome to any of you , we preached to you the gospel of God . * Ye are witnesses , and so is God , how holily , and righteously , and unblamably we conducted ourselves toward you that believe ; * as ye know how we exhorted , and encouraged , and charged every one of you , as a father doth his children , * that ye should walk in a manner worthy of God , who is calling you to his own kingdom and glory . * And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing , that , when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us , ye received it not as the word of men , but , as it is in truth , the word of God , which also is powerfully working in you that believe . * For ye , brethren , became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus ; for ye also suffered the same things from your own countrymen , as they have from the Jews ; * who both killed the Lord Jesus , and the prophets , and drove us out , and please not God , and set themselves against all men , * hindering us from speaking to the gentiles that they may be saved ,––to fill up their sins always ! But the wrath is come upon them to the end . * But we , brethren , having been bereaved of you for a short time , separated in body , not in heart , used the greater endeavors with much earnestness to see your face . * Wherefore we purposed to come to you , that is , I Paul , once and again ; but Satan hindered us . * For what is our hope , or joy , or crown of glorying ? Is it not even ye , in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming ? * For ye are our glory and joy .

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