New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 Thessalonians 2
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,
15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,
16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while-in person, not in spirit-were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you-I, Paul, more than once-and yet Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 3
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.
We pray that this ministry will be a blessing to you and your family.
