1 Thessalonians 3

1 For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it good to remain at Athens alone:

So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in Athens alone;

2 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:

and sent Timothy our brother and God's minister in the service of Christ's Good News, that he might help you spiritually and encourage you in your faith;

3 That no man should be moved in these tribulations: for yourselves know, that we are appointed thereunto.

that none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you yourselves know that they are our appointed lot.

4 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.

For even when we were with you, we forewarned you, saying, "We are soon to suffer affliction;" and this actually happened, as you well know.

5 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.

For this reason I also, when I could no longer endure the uncertainty, sent to know the condition of your faith, lest perchance the Tempter might have tempted you and our labour have been lost.

6 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;

But now that Timothy has recently come back to us from you, and has brought us the happy tidings of your faith and love, and has told us how you still cherish a constant and affectionate recollection of us, and are longing to see us as we also long to see you--

7 Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith,

for this reason in our distress and trouble we have been comforted about you, brethren, by your faith.

8 Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.

For now life is for us life indeed, since you are standing fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,

For what thanksgiving on your behalf can we possibly offer to God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God for you,

10 Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?

while night and day, with intense earnestness, we pray that we may see your faces, and may bring to perfection whatever may be still lacking in your faith?

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

But may our God and Father Himself--and our Lord Jesus--guide us on our way to you;

12 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,

and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love for you.

13 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.

Thus He will build up your characters, so that you will be faultlessly holy in the presence of our God and Father at the Coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.