| New King James Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. | 1For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. |
| 2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. | 2On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. |
| 3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. | 3For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. |
| 4But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. | 4Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. |
| 5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. | 5For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness-- |
| 6Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. | 6and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. |
| 7But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. | 7Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. |
| 8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. | 8We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. |
| 9For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. | 9For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God's gospel to you. |
| 10You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; | 10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. |
| 11as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, | 11As you know, like a father with his own children, |
| 12that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. | 12we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. |
| 13For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. | 13This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe. |
| 14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, | 14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews |
| 15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, | 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone, |
| 16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. | 16by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last. |
| 17But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. | 17But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. |
| 18Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. | 18So we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. |
| 19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? | 19For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? |
| 20For you are our glory and joy. | 20Indeed you are our glory and joy! |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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