Therefore awhen we could endure
it no
longer
, we thought
it best
to be left
behind
at bAthens
alone
,
and we sent aTimothy
, our brother
and God's
fellow
worker
in the gospel
of Christ
, to strengthen
and encourage
you as to your faith
,
so that no one
would be 1disturbed
by these
afflictions
; for you yourselves
know
that awe have been destined
for this
.
For indeed when
we were with you, we kept telling
you in advance
that we were going
to suffer
affliction
; 1 aand so
it came
to pass
, 2as you know
.
For this reason
, awhen I could endure
it no
longer
, I also
bsent
to 1find
out about your faith
, for fear
that cthe tempter
might have tempted
you, and dour labor
would be in vain
.
But now that aTimothy
has come
to us from you, and has brought
us good
news
of byour faith
and love
, and that you always
cthink
kindly
of us, longing
to see
us just
as we also
long to see you,
for this reason
, brethren
, in all
our distress
and affliction
we were comforted
about
you through
your faith
;
for now we really live
, if
you astand
firm
in the Lord
.
For awhat thanks
can
we render
to God
for you in return
for all
the joy
with which
we rejoice
before
our God
on your account
,
as we anight and day
keep praying
most
earnestly
that we may bsee
your face
, and may ccomplete
what
is lacking
in your faith
?
aNow may bour God
and Father
cHimself
and Jesus
our Lord
ddirect
our way
to you;
and may the Lord cause
you to increase
and aabound
in love
for one
another
, and for all
people
, just
as we also
do for you;
so that He may aestablish
your hearts
bwithout
blame
in holiness
before
cour God
and Father
at the 1 dcoming
of our Lord
Jesus
ewith all
His 2saints
.