1 Thessalonians, 2

1. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

1. You well know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not in vain.

2. But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

2. We had been ill-treated and insulted in Philippi but, trusting in our God, we dared announce to you the message of God, and face fresh opposition.

3. For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

3. Our warnings did not conceal any error or impure motive, nor did we deceive anyone.

4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

4. But as God had entrusted his Gospel to us as to faithful ministers, we were anxious to please God who sees the heart, rather than human beings.

5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:

5. We never pleased you with flattery, as you know, nor did we try to earn money, as God knows.

6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

6. We did not try to make a name for ourselves among people, either with you or anybody else,

7. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

7. although we were messengers of Christ and could have made our weight felt. On the contrary, we were gentle with you, as a nursing mother who feeds and cuddles her baby.

8. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

8. And so great is our concern that we are ready to give you, as well as the Gospel, even our very lives, for you have become very dear to us.

9. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

9. Remember our labor and toil; when we preached the Gospel, we worked day and night so as not to be a burden to you.

10. Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

10. You are witnesses with God that we were holy, just and blameless toward all of you who now believe.

11. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,

11. We warned each of you as a father warns his children;

12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

12. we encouraged you and urged you to adopt a way of life worthy of God who calls you to share his own glory and kingdom.

13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

13. This is why we never cease giving thanks to God for, on receiving our message, you accepted it, not as human teaching, but as the word of God. That is what it really is, and as such it is at work in you who believe.

14. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:

14. Brothers and sisters, you followed the example of the churches of God in Judea, churches of Christ Jesus. For you suffered from your compatriots the same trials they suffered from the Jews,

15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

15. who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and who persecute us. They displease God and harm all people

16. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

16. when they prevent us from speaking to the pagans and trying to save them. By doing so they are heaping up their sins, but now Judgment is coming upon them.

17. But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

17. We are for a time deprived of your presence, but not in our heart, and we eagerly long to see you.

18. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

18. For we have wanted to visit you, and I, Paul, more than once; but Satan prevented us.

19. For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

19. In fact, who but you are our hope and our joy? Who but you will be our glorious crown before Jesus, our Lord, when he returns?

20. For ye are our glory and joy.

20. Yes, indeed, you are our glory and our joy.