1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

English Standard Version

¹³ And ^(A)we also thank God constantly^[a] for this, that when you received ^(B)the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it ^(C)not as the word of men^[b] but as what it really is, the word of God, ^(D)which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, ^(E)became imitators of ^(F)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For ^(G)you suffered the same things from your own countrymen ^(H)as they did from the Jews,^{[c] 15 (I)}who killed both the Lord Jesus and ^(J)the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and ^(K)oppose all mankind ^16 (L)by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always ^(M)to fill up the measure of their sins. But ^(N)wrath has come upon them at last!^[d]

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, ^(O)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire ^(P)to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan ^(Q)hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or ^(R)joy or crown of boasting ^(S)before our Lord Jesus at his ^(T)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 ^(U)to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we ^(V)sent Timothy, ^(W)our brother and God's coworker^[e] 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 ^(X)we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, ^(Y)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. ⁵ For this reason, ^(Z)when I could bear it no longer, ^(AA)I sent to learn about your faith, ^(AB)for fear that somehow ^(AC)the tempter had tempted you and ^(AD)our labor would be in vain.