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1 Thessalonians 2
New King James Version

### Paul’s Conduct(A)

2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at (B)Philippi, as you know, we were (C)bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 (D)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

4 But as (E)we have been approved by God (F)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, (G)not as pleasing men, but God (H)who tests our hearts. 5 For (I)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [b]cloak for covetousness—(J)God is witness. 6 (K)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when (L)we might have (M)made demands (N)as apostles of Christ. 7 But (O)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased (P)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also (Q)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our (R)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, (S)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

10 (T)You are witnesses, and God also, (U)how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [c]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 (V)that you would walk worthy of God (W)who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

### Their Conversion

13 For this reason we also thank God (X)without ceasing, because when you (Y)received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it (Z)not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively (AA)works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators (AB)of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For (AC)you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 (AD)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (AE)their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God (AF)and are [d]contrary to all men, 16 (AG)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always (AH)to fill up the measure of their sins; (AI)but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

### Longing to See Them

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time (AJ)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but (AK)Satan hindered us. 19 For (AL)what is our hope, or joy, or (AM)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the (AN)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ (AO)at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

#### Footnotes

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed
3. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NU, M implored
4. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 hostile

#### Cross references

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 : cf. Acts 17:1–9
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 : Acts 14:5; 16:19–24; Phil. 1:30
3. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 : Acts 17:1–9
4. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 : 2 Cor. 7:2
5. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : 1 Cor. 7:25
6. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : Titus 1:3
7. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : Gal. 1:10
8. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : Prov. 17:3
9. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 : 2 Cor. 2:17
10. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 : Rom. 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:10
11. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : 1 Tim. 5:17
12. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : 1 Cor. 9:4
13. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : 2 Cor. 11:9
14. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 : 1 Cor. 9:1
15. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 : 1 Cor. 2:3
16. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 : Rom. 1:11
17. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 : 2 Cor. 12:15; 1 John 3:16
18. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 : Acts 18:3; 20:34, 35; 1 Cor. 4:12; 2 Thess. 3:7, 8
19. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 : 2 Cor. 12:13
20. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 : 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Thess. 1:5
21. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 : 2 Cor. 7:2
22. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 : Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10
23. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 : Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 2:14; [2 Tim. 1:9]
24. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 : Rom. 1:8; 1 Thess. 1:2, 3
25. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 : Mark 4:20
26. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 : [Matt. 10:20; Gal. 4:14]
27. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 : [1 Pet. 1:23]
28. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 : Gal. 1:22
29. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 : Acts 17:5; 1 Thess. 3:4; 2 Thess. 1:4
30. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 : Luke 24:20; Acts 2:23
31. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 : Jer. 2:30; Matt. 5:12; 23:34, 35; Acts 7:52
32. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 : Esth. 3:8
33. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 : Luke 11:52
34. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 : Gen. 15:16; Dan. 8:23; Matt. 23:32
35. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 : Matt. 24:6
36. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 : 1 Cor. 5:3
37. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 : Rom. 1:13; 15:22
38. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : 2 Cor. 1:14
39. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : Prov. 16:31
40. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : Jude 24
41. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 : 1 Cor. 15:23

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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