1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5

PAUL’S DESIRE TO SEE THEM

¹⁷But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you^B for a short time (in person, not in heart^a), we greatly desired and made every effort to return^b and see you face to face. ¹⁸So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan^c hindered us. ¹⁹For who is our hope or joy^d or crown^e of boasting^f in the presence of our Lord^g Jesus at his coming?^h Is it not you?^{i 20}Indeed you are our glory^j and joy!

ANXIETY IN ATHENS

3Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.^{k 2}And we sent Timothy,^l our brother and God’s coworker^C in the gospel of Christ,^m to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, ³so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. ⁵For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.