< 帖撒罗尼迦前书 3 >

1 我们既不能再忍，就愿意独自等在雅典，
For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it good to remain at Athens alone:
2 打发我们的兄弟在基督福音上作 神执事的提摩太前去，坚固你们，并在你们所信的道上劝慰你们，
And we sent Timothy, our brother, and the minister of God in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and exhort you concerning your faith:
3 免得有人被诸般患难摇动。因为你们自己知道，我们受患难原是命定的。
That no man should be moved in these tribulations: for yourselves know, that we are appointed thereunto.
4 我们在你们那里的时候，预先告诉你们，我们必受患难，以后果然应验了，你们也知道。
For even when we were with you, we foretold you that we should suffer tribulations, as also it is come to pass, and you know.
5 为此，我既不能再忍，就打发人去，要晓得你们的信心如何，恐怕那诱惑人的到底诱惑了你们，叫我们的劳苦归于徒然。
For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to know your faith: lest perhaps he that tempteth should have tempted you, and our labour should be made vain.
6 但提摩太刚才从你们那里回来，将你们信心和爱心的好消息报给我们，又说你们常常记念我们，切切地想见我们，如同我们想见你们一样。
But now when Timothy came to us from you, and related to us your faith and charity, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us as we also to see you;
7 所以，弟兄们，我们在一切困苦患难之中，因着你们的信心就得了安慰。
Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith,
8 你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了。
Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.
9 我们在 神面前，因着你们甚是喜乐；为这一切喜乐，可用何等的感谢为你们报答 神呢？
For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,
10 我们昼夜切切地祈求，要见你们的面，补满你们信心的不足。
Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?
11 愿 神—我们的父和我们的主耶稣一直引领我们到你们那里去。
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 又愿主叫你们彼此相爱的心，并爱众人的心都能增长，充足，如同我们爱你们一样，
And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
13 好使你们当我们主耶稣同他众圣徒来的时候，在我们父 神面前，心里坚固，成为圣洁，无可责备。
To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.

< 帖撒罗尼迦前书 3 >