1 W hen we could wait no longer, we decided it was best to stay in the city of Athens alone.

Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

2 A nd we sent Timothy to you. He works with us for God, teaching the Good News of Christ. We sent him to give strength and comfort to your faith.

and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;

3 W e do not want anyone to give up because of troubles. You know that we can expect troubles.

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.

4 E ven when we were with you, we told you that much trouble would come to us. It has come as you can see.

For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

5 F or this reason, I could wait no longer. I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid the devil had tempted you. Then our work with you would be wasted.

For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

6 B ut Timothy has come to us from you. He brought good news about your faith and love. It is good to know that you think well of us and that you would like to see us. We would like to see you also.

But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;

7 C hristian brothers, word about your faith has made us happy even while we are suffering and are in much trouble.

for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.

8 I t is life to us to know that your faith in the Lord is strong.

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

9 H ow can we give God enough thanks for you for all the joy you give us?

For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;

10 W e keep on praying night and day that we may see you again. We want to help your faith to be complete.

night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 M ay our God and Father Himself and the Lord Jesus Christ take us on our way to you.

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;

12 M ay the Lord make you grow in love for each other and for everyone. We have this kind of love for you.

and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,

13 M ay our God and Father make your hearts strong and without blame. May your hearts be without sin in God’s sight when our Lord Jesus comes again with all those who belong to Him.

to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.