1 Thessalonians 3

1 So, bearing it no longer, we were pleased to be left behind at Athens alone, [a] 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the good news of the Christ, to strengthen you and to urge you concerning your faith, [b] 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are set for this; [c] 4 for indeed, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are about to be afflicted, just as it also happened, and you know. 5 Because of this I too, bearing it no longer, sent to know your faith — in case the tester had tested you and our labor had come to nothing. [d]

6 But now, when Timothy came to us from you and brought us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always have a good remembrance of us, longing to see us, just as we also do — [e] 7 because of this we were comforted, brothers, over you, in all our distress and affliction, through your faith, [f] 8 because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we give back to God concerning you, for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, 10 night and day begging beyond all measure to see your face and to mend what is lacking in your faith? [g]

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, make our way straight to you; 12 and may the Lord make you increase and overflow in love toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you, 13 to strengthen your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. [h]