¹⁷And we, brethren, having been taken from you for the space of an hour—in presence, not in heart—did hasten the more abundantly to see your face in much desire, ¹⁸wherefore we wished to come unto you, (I indeed Paul,) both once and again, and the Adversary did hinder us; ¹⁹for what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye before our Lord Jesus Christ in his presence? ²⁰for ye are our glory and joy.

Chapter 3

¹Wherefore no longer forbearing, we thought good to be left in Athens alone, ²and did send Timotheus—our brother, and a ministrant of God, and our fellow-workman in the good news of the Christ—to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, ³that no one be moved in these tribulations, for yourselves have known that for this we are set, ⁴for even when we were with you, we said to you beforehand, that we are about to suffer tribulation, as also it did come to pass, and ye have known it; ⁵because of this also, I, no longer forbearing, did send to know your faith, lest he who is tempting did tempt you, and in vain might be our labour.

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