⁹ You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.^{(A) 10} You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.^{(B) 11} As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, ¹² urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.^(C)

¹³ We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.^(D)

Paul’s Desire to Visit the Thessalonians Again

¹⁷ As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.^{(A) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way.^{(B) 19} For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?^{(C) 20} Yes, you are our glory and joy!