1 For yourselves, brothers, know our entering in to you{+}, that it has not been found vain:

2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you{+} know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak to you{+} the good news of God in much conflict.

3 For our exhortation [is] not of error, nor of impurity, nor in guile:

4 but even as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts.

5 For neither at any time did we come in words of flattery, as you{+} know, nor in a cloak of greed, God is witness;

6 nor seeking glory of men, neither from you{+} nor from others.

7 We could have been a burden as apostles of Christ. But we became juveniles among you{+}, as when a nurse cherishes her own children:

8 even so, being affectionately desirous of you{+}, we were well pleased to impart to you{+}, not the good news of God only, but also our own souls, because you{+} became very dear to us.

9 For you{+} remember, brothers, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you{+}, we preached to you{+} the good news of God.

10 You{+} are witnesses, and God [also], how holily and righteously and unblamably we became toward you{+} who believe:

11 as you{+} know how we [dealt with] each one of you{+}, as a father with his own children,

12 exhorting you{+}, and encouraging, and testifying, to the end that you{+} should walk worthily of God, who calls you{+} into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you{+} received from us the word of the message, [even the word] of God, you{+} accepted [it] not [as] the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you{+} who believe.

14 For you{+}, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus: for you{+} also suffered the same things of your{+} own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews;

15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and did not please God, and are contrary to all men;

16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brothers, being bereaved of you{+} for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your{+} face with great desire:

18 because we wanted to come to you{+}, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you{+}, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

20 For you{+} are our glory and our joy.