1 T herefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

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

2 a nd 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,

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 shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

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

4 F or, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

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 F or 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

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 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—

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

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

8 F or now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

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

9 F or what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake 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 n ight and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? Prayer for the Church

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

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.