¹⁷But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: ¹⁸because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. ¹⁹For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? ²⁰For ye are our glory and our joy.

3Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; ²and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; ³that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed. ⁴For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know. ⁵For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

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