帖撒羅尼迦前書 3

1 為此，我們不能再等待，就決意留在雅典，

So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.

2 而打發我們的弟兄和在基督的福音上，作天主僕人的弟茂德前去，為在信德上堅固鼓勵你們，

We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

3 不叫任何人在這些困苦中受到動搖；你們自己也原已知道：我們是注定要受苦的，

so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.

4 因為我們還在你們那裏的時候，已給你們預言了，我們將受磨難；你們看，現在就發生了。

Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.

5 為此，我既不能再等待，遂派遺他去探悉你們的信德，怕那誘惑者誘惑了你們，而使我們的勞苦等於白費了。

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.

6 現今，弟茂德從你們那裏回到我們這裏，對你們的信德和愛德，給我們報告了好消息；並說你們時常想念我們，渴望見到我們，就像我們渴望見到你們一樣。

But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

7 為此，弟兄們，我們在一切困苦磨難中，因了你們的信德，由你們獲得了安慰。

For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.

8 因為若是在主內站立穩定，我們現在就能活下去。

For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.

9 我們為了你們的原故，在我們的天主前甚為喜樂：對這一切善樂，我們能怎樣感謝，好為你們稱謝天主呢﹖

How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?

10 我們惟有黑夜白日懇切求，為能見到你們的面，為能彌補你們信德的缺陷。

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.

11 但願天主我們的父和我們的主耶穌，舖平我們去你們那裏的道路。

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

12 願主使你們彼此間的愛情，和對眾人的愛情增長滿溢，就像我們對你們所有的愛情，

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

13 好堅固你們的心，使你們在我們的主耶穌同衪的眾聖者來臨時，於天主我們的父前，在聖德上無可指摘。

so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.