10 You are witnesses, and (A)God also, (B)how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, (C)like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and (D)charged (E)you to walk in a manner worthy of God, (F)who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And (G)we also thank God constantly[a] for this, that when you received (H)the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it (I)not as the word of men[b] but as what it really is, the word of God, (J)which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, (K)became imitators of (L)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For (M)you suffered the same things from your own countrymen (N)as they did from the Jews,[c] 15 (O)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (P)the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and (Q)oppose all mankind 16 (R)by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always (S)to fill up the measure of their sins. But (T)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, (U)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire (V)to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan (W)hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or (X)joy or crown of boasting (Y)before our Lord Jesus at his (Z)coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Or without ceasing
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or completely, or forever

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