< 1 Thessalonians 3 >
1 So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in 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 minister in the service of Christ's Good News, that he might help you spiritually and encourage you in 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 none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you yourselves know that they are our appointed lot.
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 even when we were with you, we forewarned you, saying, "We are soon to suffer affliction;" and this actually happened, as you well 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 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.
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 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--
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 reason in our distress and trouble we have been comforted about you, brethren, by 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 life is for us life indeed, since you are standing fast 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 on your behalf can we possibly offer to God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God for you,
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 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?
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 But may our God and Father Himself--and our Lord Jesus--guide us on 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 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.
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 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.
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。