WE SPEAK AS THOSE APPROVED BY GOD

 

You know brothers and sisters,

That our Visit to you was not without Results.

We had previously Suffered

And been treated Outrageously in Philippi,

As you know,

But with the Help of our God

We Dared to tell you His Gospel

In the Face of Strong Opposition.

For the Appeal we make

Does not spring from Error or Impure Motives,

Nor are we trying to Trick you.

On the Contrary,

We Speak as those Approved by God

To be Trusted with the Gospel.

We are not trying to Please People but God,

Who Tests our Hearts.

You know we never used Flattery,

Nor did we put on a Mask to Cover Up Greed--

God is our Witness.

We were not looking for Praise from People,

Not from you or anyone else,

Even though as Apostles of Christ

We could have Asserted our Authority.

Instead, we were like Young Children among you.

(1 Thessalonians 2: 1-7, NIV)