but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts. For never[a] did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God is witness), nor seeking glory from people, neither from you nor from others.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Literally “for neither ever”

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.(A) We are not trying to please people(B) but God, who tests our hearts.(C) You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed(D)—God is our witness.(E) We were not looking for praise from people,(F) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles(G) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.(H)

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