1 Thessalonians 3

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

And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone.

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

I sent Timothy, my brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.

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

So that no one should be shaken by these troubles-for you know well that we are appointed to troubles.

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

For even when I was with you I used to tell you beforehand that I was to suffer affliction; and so it proved, as you know.

5 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.

So, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that my labor had been in vain.

6 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.

But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.

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

I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith.

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

For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord.

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

For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God?

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

Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in your faith.

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

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct my path to you.

12 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,

Meanwhile, may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as I do toward you.

13 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.

And so may he establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.