1 T herefore, when became intolerable, we consented to being left behind alone at Athens.

Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,

2 A nd we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith,

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

3 T hat no one should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties. For you yourselves know that this is our appointed lot.

so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

4 F or even when we were with you, we warned you plainly beforehand that we were to be pressed with difficulties and made to suffer affliction, just as to your own knowledge it has happened.

For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.

5 T hat is the reason that, when I could bear no longer, I sent that I might learn your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil be fruitless and to no purpose.

For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

6 B ut now that Timothy has just come back to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love, and how kindly you cherish a constant and affectionate remembrance of us longing to see us as we you,

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,

7 B rethren, for this reason, in our stress and crushing difficulties we have been filled with comfort and cheer about you your faith ( the leaning of your whole personality on God in complete trust and confidence).

for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

8 B ecause now we live, if you stand in the Lord.

for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

9 F or what thanksgiving can we render to God for you for all the gladness and delight which we enjoy for your sakes before our God?

For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,

10 c ontinue to pray especially and with most intense earnestness night and day that we may see you face to face and mend and make good whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.

as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

11 N ow may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) guide our steps to you.

Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;

12 A nd may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you,

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

13 S o that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!

so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.