1 Thessalonians 2:15-18
J.B. Phillips New Testament
You have experienced persecution like your Jewish brothers
14-16 When you suffered at the hands of your fellow-countrymen you were sharing the experience of the Judean Christian churches, who suffered persecution by the Jews. It was the Jews who killed their own prophets, the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus, and the Jews who drove out us, his messengers. Their present attitude is in opposition to both God and man. They refused to let us speak to those who were not Jews, to tell them the news of salvation. Alas, I fear they are completing the full tale of their sins and the wrath of God is over their heads.
Absence has indeed made our hearts grow fonder
17-18 Since we have been physically separated from you, my brothers (though never for a moment separated in heart), we have longed all the more to see you. Yes, I, Paul, have longed to come and see you more than once—but somehow Satan prevented our coming.
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1 Thessalonians 2:15-17
New International Version
15 who killed the Lord Jesus(A) and the prophets(B) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles(C) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.(D) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[a]
Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians
17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),(E) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.(F)
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
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