1 Wherefore, being no longer able to refrain ourselves, we thought good to be left alone in Athens,

2 and sent Timotheus, our brother and fellow-workman under God in the glad tidings of Christ, to confirm you and encourage {you} concerning your faith,

3 that no one might be moved by these afflictions. (For yourselves know that we are set for this;

4 for also, when we were with you, we told you beforehand we are about to be in tribulation, even as also it came to pass, and ye know.)

5 For this reason *I* also, no longer able to refrain myself, sent to know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be come to nothing.

6 But Timotheus having just come to us from you, and brought to us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have always good remembrance of us, desiring much to see us, even as we also you;

7 for this reason we have been comforted in you, brethren, in all our distress and tribulation, through your faith,

8 because now we live if *ye* stand firm in {the} Lord.

9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on account of you before our God,

10 night and day beseeching exceedingly to the end that we may see your face, and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

11 But our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

12 But you, may the Lord make to exceed and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also towards you,

13 in order to the confirming of your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; 3 that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5 For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. 6 But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you; 7 for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: 8 for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: 12 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 to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.