Chapter 2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you,
that it was not in vain.
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated,
as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of
God with much contention.
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak,
not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts.
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of
covetousness.
God is witness.
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have
been burdensome as the apostles of Christ.
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishedeth her children.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you
not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail.
For laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you,
we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how wholly, and justly, and unblameably we
behaved ourselves among you that believe.
As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father
doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto
his kingdom and glory.
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word
of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of man, but as it is in
truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in
Christ Jesus.
For ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of
the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have
persecuted us, and they please not God, and are contrary to all men, forbidding us
to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up their sins all way.
For the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, endeavored the
more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again.
But Satan hindered us.
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
For ye are our glory and joy.