²⁰ I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

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)

⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

¹⁹ But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.^{(A) 20} For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. ²¹ What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick or with love in a spirit of gentleness?^(B)