1 Thessalonians 3

1 So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.

2 We sent Timothy, our brother and minister for God, and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

3 so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.

4 Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.

5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.

6 But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

7 For this reason, brothers, in all our persecution and distress, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.

8 For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.

9 How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?

10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.

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

12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

13 so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

1 ¶ Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

6 ¶ But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also [to see] you:

7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

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

9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

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

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

12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Wherefore we would not bear it further, and were pleased to be left alone at Athens,

2 And have sent Timothy, our brother and servant of God, and our helper in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and exhort you in your faith,

3 Lest any man faint in these tribulations: for ye know that we are made for this purpose.

4 And when we were with you, we told you before that we should have tribulation: as it is, and ye know it.

5 For which cause I could no longer endure it, I sent forth to know your faith, lest peradventure temptation should try you, and our labour be in vain.

6 But now, Timothy having come to us from you, and having declared unto us your faith and love, and that ye always remember us for the best, and desire to see us, as we do to see you,

7 Then were we comforted in you, brethren, in all our affliction and distress, through your faith.

8 For now are we alive, because we stand in the LORD.

9 For what thanks may we render to God for you, for all this joy which we have from you before our God?

10 We pray almost night and day, that we may see your faces, and repay you for the lack of your faith.

11 But he, God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, send our way unto you.

12 But let the LORD increase you, and let love be perfect among yourselves, and toward every man (as we also are toward you),

13 That your hearts, being strengthened, may be blameless in holiness before God and our Father, unto the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, and of all his saints.