NET Bible
"although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,"
— 1 Thessalonians 2:7, NET Bible
“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:”
“But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: ”
“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”
“Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:”
“But we were gentle among you, like a woman caring for her little ones:”
“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:”
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.
For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed– God is our witness–
nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,
although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,
with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.