1 Therefore when we could no longer endure, we were pleased to be left at Athens alone.

2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith,

3 so that no one should be drawn aside by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to them.

4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we were going to suffer affliction, as it also happened, even you know.

5 For this cause, when I could no longer endure, I also sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter may have tempted you and our labor may have been in vain.

6 But now when Timothy came from you to us and brought us good news [of] your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us (as we also you),

7 then, my brothers, we were comforted over you, through your faith, even in all our affliction and needs;

8 for now we live, if you stand fast in [the] Lord.

9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy [with] which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,

10 night and day praying exceedingly for [me] to see your face and to perfect the things lacking in your faith?

11 And may God Himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you.

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

13 in order to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.