002:013 And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God,
that when you received God's Message from our lips, it was
as no mere message from men that you embraced it, but as--
what it really is--God's Message, which also does its work
in the hearts of you who believe.
002:014 For you, brethren, followed the example of the Churches of God
in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea; seeing that you endured
the same ill-treatment at the hands of your countrymen,
as they did at the hands of the Jews.
002:015 Those Jewish persecutors killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets,
and drove us out of their midst. They are displeasing to God,
and are the enemies of all mankind;
002:016 for they still try to prevent our preaching to the Gentiles
so that they may find salvation. They thus continually fill
up the measure of their own sins, and God's anger in its
severest form has overtaken them.
002:017 But we, brethren, having been for a short time separated
from you in bodily presence, though not in heart,
endeavoured all the more earnestly, with intense longing,
to see you face to face.
002:018 On this account we wanted to come to you--at least I Paul
wanted again and again to do so--but Satan hindered us.
002:019 For what is our hope or joy, or the crown of which we boast?
Is it not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus
at His Coming?
002:020 Yes, you are our glory and our joy.
003:001 So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain
behind in Athens alone;
003:002 and sent Timothy our brother and God's minister in the service
of Christ's Good News, that he might help you spiritually