2:1   For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you did not happen in vain,

2:2   but after we had already suffered and suffered mistreatment in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

2:3   For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

2:4   but just as God had not approve us to entrust us with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but God who examines our hearts.

2:5   For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-- As God can witness--

2:6   nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

2:7   But we proved gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.

2:8   Having so fond an affection for you, we felt well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

2:9  For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to seem a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

2:10   You witness, and so does God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;

2:11  just as you know how we exhorted and encouraged and implored each one of you as a father would his own children,

2:12   so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

2:13   For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really consists of, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

2:14  For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that live in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

2:15   who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They do not please God, but hostile to all men,

2:16   hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may receive salvation; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.

2:17   But we, brethren, having become separated from you for a short while-- in person, not in spirit--were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.

2:18   For we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, more than once--and yet Satan hindered us.

2:19   For who do we consider our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Does it not even consist of you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

2:20   For you represent our glory and joy.