ed the
Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please
not God, and are in opposition to all mankind; (16)forbidding us to
speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure
of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the
extremity.

(17)But we, brethren, bereaved of you for a short moment, in person,
not in heart, have more abundantly longed to see your face with great
desire. (18)Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul,
once and again; but Satan prevented 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.

CHAP. III.

WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be
left at Athens alone: (2)and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister
of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might
stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith: (3)that no man
might be shaken by these tribulations; for ye yourselves know that
thereunto we are appointed. (4)For when we were with you, we told you
before that we were about to suffer tribulation; as also it came to
pass, and ye know. (5)For this cause also, when I could no longer
forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter
had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain. (6)But now when
Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of
your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us
always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you: (7)for
this cause we have felt consolation, brethren, in you under all our
tribulation and distress, because of your fidelity. (8)For now we live,
if ye stand fast in the Lord. (9)For what sufficient thanks can we
render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your
account before our God, (10)night and day most fervently praying that
we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith?

(11)Now God himself, and our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ direct
our way unto you. (12)And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow
with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you:
(13)to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in
holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all his saints.

CHAP. IV.

FINALLY, brethren, we beseech you therefore, and con