1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

New King James Version

Their Conversion

¹³ For this reason we also thank God ^(A)without ceasing, because when you ^(B)received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it ^(C)not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively ^(D)works in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brethren, became imitators ^(E)of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For ^(F)you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, ^15 (G)who killed both the Lord Jesus and ^(H)their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God ^(I)and are ^[a]contrary to all men, ^16 (J)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always ^(K)to fill up the measure of their sins; ^(L)but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Longing to See Them

¹⁷ But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time ^(M)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. ¹⁸ Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but ^(N)Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For ^(O)what is our hope, or joy, or ^(P)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the ^(Q)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ ^(R)at His coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.