MSB(i)
3 For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
5 As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
8 We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
9 Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
11 For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—