¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(A) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(B) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[a]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(C) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^{(D) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(E) blocked our way.^(F)