1 Thessalonians 2:14–3:5

14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitatorsf of God’s churches in Judea,g which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own peopleh the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesusi and the prophetsj and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentilesk so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.l The wrath of God has come upon them at last.b

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),m out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.n 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satano blocked our way.p 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crownq in which we will gloryr in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?s Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our gloryt and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer,u we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.v 2 We sent Timothy,w who is our brother and co-workerx in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,y to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.z For you know quite well that we are destined for them.a 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.b 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,c I sent to find out about your faith.d I was afraid that in some way the temptere had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.f