16 They try to keep us from speaking to those who aren't Jews. The Jews don't want them to be saved. In that way, the Jews always increase their sins to the limit. God's anger has come on them at last.
17 Brothers and sisters, we were torn away from you for a short time. We were no longer with you in person, but we kept you in our thoughts. We really longed to see you. So we tried very hard to do so.
18 We wanted to come to you. Again and again I, Paul, wanted to come. But Satan stopped us.
19 What is our hope? What is our joy? When our Lord Jesus returns, what is the crown we will delight in? Isn't it you?