13For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.
14For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;
15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn’t please God, and are contrary to all men;
16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.
17But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
18because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us.
19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
20For you are our glory and our joy.