1 Thessalonians 2:3-12

3When we encouraged you, we didn’t use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception.

4Rather, we are always spreading the Good News. God trusts us to do this because we passed his test. We don’t try to please people but God, who tests our motives.

5As you know, we never used flattery or schemes to make money. God is our witness!

6We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else,

7although as apostles of Christ we had the right to do this. Instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children.

8We felt so strongly about you that we were determined to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our lives. That’s how dear you were to us!

9You remember, brothers and sisters, our work and what we did to earn a living. We worked night and day so that we could bring you the Good News of God without being a burden to any of you.

10You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless we were in our dealings with you believers.

11You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children. We comforted you and encouraged you. Yet, we insisted that

12you should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.