13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

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