17But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,

18because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us.

19For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

20For you are our glory and joy.

1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,

2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,

3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you--

7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,

12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

13so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.