1 Thessalonians 2:4-5

2:4 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. 2:5 For we never appeared ¹  with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –

¹ tn Or “came on the scene,” “came.”