y of men, either of you or of
others, when we might have been burdensome as apostles of Christ;
[2:7]but we were gentle among you, as a nurse would cherish her own
children; [2:8]so being greatly desirous of you, we were well pleased
to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls, because
you were dear to us. [2:9]For you remember, brothers, our labor and
weariness; that working night and day not to be burdensome to any one
of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. [2:10]You are witnesses,
and God, how piously, and righteously, and blamelessly we were with you
that believe, [2:11]as you know how we exhorted and comforted you, as a
father each one of his own children, [2:12]and charged you to walk
worthily of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

5 [2:13]For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, that
receiving the word of God heard from us, you received not a word of
men, but, as it is in truth, a word of God, who also works in you that
believe. [2:14]For you, brothers, became followers of the churches of
God in Christ Jesus which were in Judea, for you also suffered the same
things from your countrymen, which they did from the Jews [2:15]who
also killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and persecuted us, and who
please not God and are hostile to all men, [2:16] forbidding us to
speak to the gentiles that they may be saved, that they may fill up
their sins always; and the wrath has come on them to the utmost.

6 [2:17]But we, brothers, being deprived of you for a short time in
presence, not in heart, used greater diligence to see your face, with
much desire. [2:18] For which reason we wished to come to you; I Paul
indeed once and again, and Satan hindered us. [2:19]For what is our
hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you before our Lord
Jesus at his coming? [2:20]For you are our glory and joy.

7 [3:1]When therefore we could no longer refrain, we thought it best to
be left alone at Athens, [3:2]and sent Timothy, our brother and God's
co-laborer in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and to exhort you in
behalf of your faith, [3:3]that no one should be moved by these
afflictions. For you know that we are appointed for this; [3:4]for
indeed when we came to you, we told you before that we were about to
suffer affliction, as it also happened, and you know. [3:5]For this
reason, being no longer able to forbear, I sent to know your faith,
lest in some way the tempter shou