1For you yourselves know, brothers, that my visit to you did not fail of its purpose;
2for you remember that although I had already borne ill-treatment and insult at Philippi, I took courage in my God to tell you the gospel of God, in the face of much opposition.
3For my preaching was not grounded on a delusion, or on impure motives, on in deceit.
4But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.
5For as you well know, I never resorted to flattery, nor to any pretext for enriching myself. God is my witness!
6Now was I seeking glory from men, either yourselves or others, although I might have exercised authority as Christ’s apostle.¶
7On the contrary I showed myself among you as gentle as a mother, when she tenderly nurses her own children.
8So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.
9You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10You are witnesses - and so is God - how pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers.
11You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children,
12exhorting and imploring and adjuring each one among you to lead a life worthy of the God who called you into his own kingdom and glory.¶
13For this reason also I am giving continual thanks to God, because when you heard from me the spoken word of God, you received it not as the word of men, but as the word of God (which in truth it is), who himself is effectually at work in you believe.
14For you, brothers, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus; and you in your turn suffered at the hands of your fellow citizens persecutions like to those which they endured from the Jews -
15The men who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out - they are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind.
16They forbid me to speak to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation. They continue always to fill up the measure of their sins; but the wrath of God is come upon them to the full!¶
17But I, my brothers, although torn from you for a short season (in presence, not in heart), made eager efforts to behold you face to face with strong longing.
18For that reason I would fain have visited you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered me.
19For what is my hope, or joy? What is the victor’s wreath in which I exult? What but your own selves in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming! For you are my pride and my delight.
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