1 Thessalonians 2:3-12

3For our urging is not out of deceit or impure motives or trickery.

4But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we declare it—not pleasing men but rather God, who examines our hearts.

5For as you know and God is witness, we never came with a word of flattery or a motive of greed—

6or seeking glory from people, whether from you or from others,

7even though we could have thrown our weight around as emissaries of Messiah. Rather, we proved to be infants among you. Like a nursing mother cherishes her children,

8in this way we were yearning for you. We were delighted to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our very souls, because you had become dear to us.

9For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship—working night and day, so as not to burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the Good News of God.

10You are witnesses, along with God, of how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe.

11For you know how, as a father with his own children,

12we exhorted and encouraged and urged each one of you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.