I would that ye should know, brethren, how that I have oftentimes purposed to come unto you, but have been let hitherto, to have some fruit among you, as I have among other of the gentiles.

For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and travaileth in pain even unto this time.

And as Isaiah said before, "Except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been made as Sodom, and had been likened to Gomorrah."

For this cause I have been oft let to come unto you:

but now seeing I have no more to do in these countries, and also have been desirous many years to come unto you,