1 Thessalonians 2:16-18

Amplified Bible

¹⁶forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God’s] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever].^(A)

¹⁷But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while—in person, but not in heart—we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered us.

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1 Thessalonians 2:16-18

New International Version

¹⁶in 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

¹⁷But, 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) ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(E) blocked our way.^(F)