New Living Translation (NLT)
1 Thessalonians 2
14 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews.
15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity
16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.
17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again.
18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.
19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!
20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.
1 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,
2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,
3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.
4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.
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