14 For you, brothers, became followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus. You also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, as they have from the Jews,
15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us. They do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved. In this way they are always piling up their sins, but wrath has come upon them to the extreme.
17 But we, brothers, being taken from you for a short time, in presence, not in heart, endeavored all the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Therefore we wished to come to you—even I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Will it not even be you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
20 You are our glory and joy.