¹⁷Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you — indeed I, Paul, tried again and again — but Satan obstructed us. ¹⁹After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? ²⁰You are indeed our glory and our joy.