1 Thessalonians 3

1 At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2 We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith;

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3 So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us.

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4 And when we were with you, we said to you that trouble was before us; and so it came about, as you see.

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5 For this reason, when I was no longer able to keep quiet, I sent to get news of your faith, fearing that you might be tested by the Evil One and that our work might come to nothing.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you;

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also [to see] you:

7 For this cause, brothers, in all our trouble and grief we were comforted about you because of your faith;

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8 For it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged.

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9 For how great is the praise which we give to God for you, and how great the joy with which we are glad because of you before our God;

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus make a way for us to come to you;

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12 And the Lord give you increase of love in fullest measure to one another and to all men, even as our love to you;

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:

13 So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.