¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful,^(A) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(A) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(B) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(C) in the sight of God.

³ For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,^(A) nor are we trying to trick you.^{(B) 4} On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(C) We are not trying to please people^(D) but God, who tests our hearts.^{(E) 5} You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(F)—God is our witness.^{(G) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(H) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(I) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^{(J) 7} Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^{(K) 8} so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^(L) but our lives as well.^{(M) 9} Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^(N) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^(O) while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses,^(P) and so is God,^(Q) of how holy,^(R) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^{(S) 12} encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(T) of God, who calls^(U) you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³ And we also thank God continually^(V) because, when you received the word of God,^(W) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(X) of God’s churches in Judea,^(Y) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(Z) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(AA) and the prophets^(AB) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(AC) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(AD) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[b]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(AE) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^{(AF) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(AG) blocked our way.^{(AH) 19} For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^(AI) in which we will glory^(AJ) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^(AK) Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory^(AL) and joy.