(KJV) 1 Thessalonians 2¹

⥃Paul’s Ministry

[1] For your²selves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain³: [2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully⁴ entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold⁵ in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much⁶ contention. [3] For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:⁷ [4] But as we⁸ were allowed of God to be⁹ put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not¹⁰ as pleasing men, but God¹¹, which trieth our hearts. [5] For neither at any time used¹² we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke¹³ of covetousness; God¹⁴ [is] witness: [6] Nor of men¹⁵ sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when¹⁶ we might have been burdensome¹⁷, as the¹⁸ apostles of Christ. [7] But we¹⁹ were gentle among you, even as²⁰ a nurse cherisheth her children: [8] So being affectionately²¹ desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but²² also our own souls, because ye were dear²³ unto us. [9] For ye remember, brethren, our²⁴ labour and travail: for labouring night²⁵ and day, because we would not be chargeable²⁶ unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel²⁷ of God. [10] Ye [are] witnesses²⁸, and God [also], how²⁹ holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: [11] As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged³⁰ every one of you, as³¹ a father [doth] his children,³² [12] That ye would walk³³ worthy of God, who³⁴ hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. [13] For this cause also thank³⁵ we God without ceasing, because³⁶, when ye received the word of God³⁷ 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 effectually³⁸ worketh also in you that believe. [14] For ye, brethren, became³⁹ followers of the churches⁴⁰ of God which in Judea are⁴¹ in Christ Jesus: for ye also⁴² have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even⁴³ as they [have] of the Jews: [15] Who both killed⁴⁴ the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us⁴⁵; and they please⁴⁶ not God, and are contrary⁴⁷ to all men: [16] Forbidding⁴⁸ us to speak to the Gentiles that⁴⁹ they might be saved, to fill⁵⁰ up their sins alway: for⁵¹ the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

⥃Paul’s Longing to Visit

[17] But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence⁵², not in heart, endeavoured⁵³ the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. [18] Wherefore we would have come unto you, even⁵⁴ I Paul, once⁵⁵ and again; but Satan⁵⁶ hindered us. [19] For what [is] our hope⁵⁷, or joy, or crown⁵⁸ of rejoicin⁵⁹g⁶⁰? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord⁶¹ Jesus Christ at⁶² his coming? [20] For ye are our glory and joy. ⁶³