1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

¹For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain: ²but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict. ³For our exhortation [is] not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: ⁴but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts. ⁵For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; ⁶nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. ⁷But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: ⁸even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us. ⁹For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. ¹⁰Ye are witnesses, and God [also], how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe: ¹¹as ye know how we [dealt with] each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging [you], and testifying, ¹²to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.