1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:1 Now we, brothers, on our part, when we were separated from you for a little while -- in person but not in heart -- were extremely eager and intensely longing to see you.

Williams⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁷ Now we, brothers, on our part, when we were separated from you for a little while -- in person but not in heart -- were extremely eager and intensely longing to see you. ¹⁸ Because we did want to come to see you; I mean, that I myself, Paul, wanted again and again to come, but Satan prevented it. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or happiness or crown of boasting, except you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ when He comes? ²⁰ You, indeed, are our glory and our joy. ³ ¹ So when I could not bear it any longer, I decided to be left behind in Athens alone,