1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

English Standard Version

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, ^(A)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire ^(B)to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan ^(C)hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or ^(D)joy or crown of boasting ^(E)before our Lord Jesus at his ^(F)coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing ^(G)to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we ^(H)sent Timothy, ^(I)our brother and God's coworker^[a] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, ³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that ^(J)we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, ^(K)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. ⁵ For this reason, ^(L)when I could bear it no longer, ^(M)I sent to learn about your faith, ^(N)for fear that somehow ^(O)the tempter had tempted you and ^(P)our labor would be in vain.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

⁶ But ^(Q)now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of ^(R)your faith and love and reported ^(S)that you always remember us kindly and ^(T)long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers,^[b] in all our distress and affliction ^(U)we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you ^(V)are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For ^(W)what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, ¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly ^(X)night and day ^(Y)that we may see you face to face and ^(Z)supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may ^(AA)our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, ^(AB)direct our way to you, ¹² and may the Lord ^(AC)make you increase and abound in love ^(AD)for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may ^(AE)establish your hearts blameless in holiness before ^(AF)our God and Father, at ^(AG)the coming of our Lord Jesus ^(AH)with all his saints.