1 Thessalonians 2:17

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
- King James Version

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while--in person, not in spirit--were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire:
- American Standard Version (1901)

But we, my brothers, being away from you for a short time, in body but not in heart, had all the more desire to see your face;
- Basic English Bible

But we, brethren, having been bereaved of you and separated for a little moment in person, not in heart, have used more abundant diligence to see your face with much desire;
- Darby Bible

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
- Webster's Bible

But we, brethren, having been for a short time separated from you in bodily presence, though not in heart, endeavoured all the more earnestly, with intense longing, to see you face to face.
- Weymouth Bible

But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
- World English Bible

And, britheren, we desolat fro you for a tyme, bi mouth and in biholding, but not in herte, han hiyed more plenteuousli to se youre face with greet desir.
- Wycliffe Bible

And we, brethren, having been taken from you for the space of an hour -- in presence, not in heart -- did hasten the more abundantly to see your face in much desire,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for 1 Thessalonians 2:17

2:17 In this verse we have a remarkable instance, not so much of the transient affections of holy grief, desire, or joy, as of that abiding tenderness, that loving temper, which is so apparent in all St. Paul's writings, towards those he styles his children in the faith. This is the more carefully to be observed, because the passions occasionally exercising themselves, and flowing like a torrent, in the apostle, are observable to every reader; whereas it requires a nicer attention to discern those calm standing tempers, that fixed posture of his soul, from whence the others only flow out, and which more peculiarly distinguish his character.

People's Bible Notes for 1 Thessalonians 2:17

1Th 2:17 We, brethren, being taken from you. Forced away from them, his heart remained with them.