¹³ And we also thank God continually^(A) because, when you received the word of God,^(B) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(C) of God’s churches in Judea,^(D) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(E) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(F) and the prophets^(G) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(H) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(I) 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),^(J) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^{(K) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(L) blocked our way.^{(M) 19} For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^(N) in which we will glory^(O) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^(P) Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory^(Q) and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer,^(R) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^{(S) 2} We sent Timothy,^(T) who is our brother and co-worker^(U) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(V) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(W) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^{(X) 4} In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.^{(Y) 5} For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^(Z) I sent to find out about your faith.^(AA) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(AB) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(AC)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy^(AD) has just now come to us from you^(AE) and has brought good news about your faith and love.^(AF) He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.^{(AG) 7} Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(AH) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you^(AI) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^{(AJ) 10} Night and day we pray^(AK) most earnestly that we may see you again^(AL) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(AM) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other^(AN) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless^(AO) and holy in the presence of our God and Father^(AP) when our Lord Jesus comes^(AQ) with all his holy ones.^(AR)