Paul’s Desire to See Them

¹⁷ But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you^[a] for a short time (in person, not in heart^(A)), we greatly desired and made every effort to return^(B) and see you face to face. ¹⁸ So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan^(C) hindered us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope or joy^(D) or crown^(E) of boasting^(F) in the presence of our Lord^(G) Jesus at his coming?^(H) Is it not you?^{(I) 20} Indeed you are our glory^(J) and joy!

Anxiety in Athens

3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.^{(K) 2} And we sent Timothy,^(L) our brother and God’s coworker^[b] in the gospel of Christ,^(M) to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

ז Zayin

ח Cheth

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the world will no longer see me,^(A) but you will see me.^(B) Because I live, you will live^(C) too. ²⁰ On that day you will know that I am in my Father,^(D) you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.^(E) And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father.^(F) I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

²² Judas^(G) (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” ^(H)

²³ Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.^{(I) 24} The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.^(J)

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,^(K) whom the Father will send^(L) in my name, will teach you all things^(M) and remind you of everything I have told you.^(N)

The God of Comfort

³ Blessed be^(A) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies^(B) and the God of all comfort.^{(C) 4} He comforts us in all our affliction,^[a] so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings^(D) of Christ^(E) overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.^{(F) 6} If we are afflicted,^(G) it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer.^{(H) 7} And our hope^(I) for you is firm, because we know that as you share^(J) in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort.