1 Thessalonians 3

1 Therefore, when we could not stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

為此，我們不能再等待，就決意留在雅典，

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;

而打發我們的弟兄和在基督的福音上，作天主僕人的弟茂德前去，為在信德上堅固鼓勵你們，

3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.

不叫任何人在這些困苦中受到動搖；你們自己也原已知道：我們是注定要受苦的，

4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

因為我們還在你們那裏的時候，已給你們預言了，我們將受磨難；你們看，現在就發生了。

5 For this cause I also, when I could not stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

為此，我既不能再等待，遂派遺他去探悉你們的信德，怕那誘惑者誘惑了你們，而使我們的勞苦等於白費了。

6 But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;

現今，弟茂德從你們那裏回到我們這裏，對你們的信德和愛德，給我們報告了好消息；並說你們時常想念我們，渴望見到我們，就像我們渴望見到你們一樣。

7 for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.

為此，弟兄們，我們在一切困苦磨難中，因了你們的信德，由你們獲得了安慰。

8 For now we live, since you stand firm in the Lord.

因為若是在主內站立穩定，我們現在就能活下去。

9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;

我們為了你們的原故，在我們的天主前甚為喜樂：對這一切善樂，我們能怎樣感謝，好為你們稱謝天主呢﹖

10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

我們惟有黑夜白日懇切求，為能見到你們的面，為能彌補你們信德的缺陷。

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;

但願天主我們的父和我們的主耶穌，舖平我們去你們那裏的道路。

12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as we also do toward you,

願主使你們彼此間的愛情，和對眾人的愛情增長滿溢，就像我們對你們所有的愛情，

13 to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

好堅固你們的心，使你們在我們的主耶穌同衪的眾聖者來臨時，於天主我們的父前，在聖德上無可指摘。