1 Thessalonians 3

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

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

2 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.

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

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

4 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

9 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?

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

10 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.

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

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

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

12 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.

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 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.

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.