For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of ¹  before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, ¹  for a short time (in presence, not in affection) ²  we became all the more fervent in our great desire ³  to see you in person. ⁴ 

And so ¹  we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, ²  you accepted it not as a human message, ³  but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.