1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5

Paul’s Desire to Visit the Thessalonians Again

¹⁷As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.^{* 18}For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way.^{* 19}For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?^{* 20}Yes, you are our glory and joy!

³Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens^{* 2}and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker^e in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith,^{* 3}so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.^{* 4}In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. ⁵For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.^*