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

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in 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 sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning 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.

that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to 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, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and 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 no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. Encouraged by Timothy

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 brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also 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).

therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

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

For now we live, if you stand fast 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, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

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.

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? Prayer for the Church

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 our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to 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 blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.