1So when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, that is just what has happened. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent him to find out about your faith, afraid that the tempter had tempted you, and that our labour might have been for nothing.
when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, that is just what has happened. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent him to find out about your faith, afraid that the tempter had tempted you, and that our labour might have been for nothing.
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought us good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have good memories of us and long to see us, just as we long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face-to-face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now make our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make your love increase and overflow for one another and for everyone, just as ours does for you. 13 May He establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones. Amen.