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，

So when we couldn't bear it any longer, we decided it would be best for us to stay behind in Athens,

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 send Timothy on to you. He is our brother and God's co-worker in spreading the good news of Christ. We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your trust in God

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。

so that none of you would be upset by your troubles—for you know we should expect such things.

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。

Even while we were with you we kept on warning you that we would suffer persecution soon— and as you well know that is exactly what has happened.

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。

This is why, when I couldn't stand it anymore, I sent to find out whether you were still trusting in God. I was concerned that the Devil had successfully tempted you and that all our work had been for nothing!

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。

Now Timothy has just returned from visiting you and he has brought us good news of your trust in God and the love you have. He's told us that you still have fond memories of us, longing to see us just as we long 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。

This news really encouraged us while we were suffering troubles ourselves, brothers and sisters, knowing that you continue to hold on to your trust in God.

8 你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了。

For us life is worth living now because you're standing firm 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？

As we go into the presence of our God, how can we ever thank God enough for you because of all the joy you bring to us?

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 we pray for you as earnestly as possible, hoping to see you again face to face, and to help you continue developing your trust in God.

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。

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus make it possible for us to come to see you soon.

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，

May the Lord increase your love so it overflows to one another, and to everyone, just as we love 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。

In this way may the Lord strengthen you so you may stand with minds that are holy and blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.