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

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

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

And 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.

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

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

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

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

5 F or 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.

For 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.

6 B ut 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;

But 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.

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

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

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

It is life to us to know that your faith in the Lord is strong.

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

How can we give God enough thanks for you for all the joy you give us?

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

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

11 N ow may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;

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

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

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

13 t o 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.

May 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.