Brothers, you yourselves know that our coming to you is not in vain.

We were once victimized and humiliated in Philippi, as you know. However, it is still through our God’s courage to proclaim the gospel of God to you in great wars.

Our persuasion is not out of error, not out of filth, nor through deceit.

But since God has fulfilled us and entrusted us with the gospel, we will continue to speak, not to please people, but to please the God who tests our hearts.

Because we have never used flattery, as you know. There is also no hidden greed, which God can bear witness to.

As apostles of Christ, although we may be respected, we have not sought glory from you or anyone else,

Only with tenderness in your heart, like a mother nursing her own child.

Since we love you in this way, we are not only willing to give you the gospel of God, but also willing to give you our own lives, because you are the ones we love.

Brothers, remember our hard work and toil, working day and night, and proclaiming the gospel of God to you, so that no one of you may be burdened.

How holy, righteous, and blameless are we to you who believe in the Lord, with you as witnesses and God as witnesses.

You also know how we exhort you, comfort you, and charge each of you, just as a father treats his own children.

To make you walk worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom to receive his glory.

For this reason, we do not cease to thank God, because when you hear the word of God that we preach, you receive it, not as the word of man, but as the word of God. This way is truly God’s and operates in the hearts of you who believe in the Lord.

Brothers, you have imitated the various churches of God in Judea in Christ Jesus. Because you have also suffered the suffering of the locals, just as they suffered the suffering of the Jews.

This Jewish man killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleased with God and are enemies with everyone.

We are not allowed to preach to the Gentiles for their salvation, always filled with our own sins. The wrath of God has come to an extreme on them.

Brothers, we are temporarily separated from you in appearance, but our hearts are not separated. We are trying our best to find a way and are willing to see your face.

So we intended to come to you, and I, Paul, went once or twice, but Satan stopped us.

What is our hope and joy, and the crown we boast of? Can’t you stand before our Lord Jesus when he comes?

Because you are our glory, our joy.