1 Thessalonians 3

1 Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

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

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith,

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.

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

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

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

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.

5 For this cause I also, when I couldn’t 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.

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.

6 But Timothy has just now come 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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,

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.