1 Finally, we could not bear it any longer. So we decided to stay on alone in Athens 2 while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and help your faith, 3 so that none of you should turn back because of these persecutions. You yourselves know that such persecutions are part of God's will for us. 4 For while we were still with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to be persecuted; and as you well know, that is exactly what happened. 5 That is why I had to send Timothy. I could not bear it any longer, so I sent him to find out about your faith. Surely it could not be that the Devil had tempted you and all our work had been for nothing!
6 Now Timothy has come back, and he has brought us the welcome news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always think well of us and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you. 7 So, in all our trouble and suffering we have been encouraged about you, friends. It was your faith that encouraged us, 8 because now we really live if you stand firm in your life in union with the Lord. 9 Now we can give thanks to our God for you. We thank him for the joy we have in his presence because of you. 10 Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed in your faith.
11 May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus prepare the way for us to come to you! 12 May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. 13 In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him.
1 Wherefore since we could no longer forbare, wee thought it good to remaine at Athens alone, 2 And haue sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God, and our labour felow in the Gospel of Christ, to stablish you, and to comfort you touching your faith, 3 That no man should be moued with these afflictions: for ye your selues knowe, that we are appointed thereunto. 4 For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulations, euen as it came to passe, and ye knowe it. 5 Euen for this cause, when I could no longer forbeare, I sent him that I might knowe of your faith, lest the tempter had tempted you in any sort, and that our labour had bene in vaine. 6 But now lately when Timotheus came from you vnto vs, and brought vs good tidings of your faith and loue, and that ye haue good remembrance of vs alwayes, desiring to see vs, as we also do you, 7 Therefore, brethren, we had consolation in you, in all our affliction and necessitie through your faith. 8 For nowe are wee aliue, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thankes can wee recompense to God againe for you, for all the ioy wherewith we reioyce for your sakes before our God, 10 Night and day, praying exceedingly that wee might see your face, and might accomplish that which is lacking in your faith? 11 Nowe God himselfe, euen our Father, and our Lord Iesus Christ, guide our iourney vnto you, 12 And the Lord increase you, and make you abound in loue one toward another, and towarde all men, euen as we doe toward you: 13 To make your hearts stable and vnblameable in holines before God euen our Father, at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all his Saints.