^{1 Ref} Wherefore no longer forbearing, we thought good to be left in Athens alone,

^{2 Ref} and did send Timotheus -- our brother, and a ministrant of God, and our fellow-workman in the good news of the Christ -- to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,

^{3 Ref} that no one be moved in these tribulations, for yourselves have known that for this we are set,

^{4 Ref} for even when we were with you, we said to you beforehand, that we are about to suffer tribulation, as also it did come to pass, and ye have known `it';

^{5 Ref} because of this also, I, no longer forbearing, did send to know your faith, lest he who is tempting did tempt you, and in vain might be our labour.

^{6 Ref} And now Timotheus having come unto us from you, and having declared good news to us of your faith and love, and that ye have a good remembrance of us always, desiring much to see us, as we also `to see' you,

^{7 Ref} because of this we were comforted, brethren, over you, in all our tribulation and necessity, through your faith,

^{8 Ref} because now we live, if ye may stand fast in the Lord;

^{9 Ref} for what thanks are we able to recompense to God for you, for all the joy with which we do joy because of you in the presence of our God?

^{10 Ref} night and day exceedingly beseeching, that we might see your face, and perfect the things lacking in your faith.

^{11 Ref} And our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you,

^{12 Ref} and you the Lord cause to increase and to abound in the love to one another, and to all, even as we also to you,

^{13 Ref} to the establishing your hearts blameless in sanctification before our God and Father, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

^{1 Ref} At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

^{2 Ref} We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith;

^{3 Ref} So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us.

^{4 Ref} And when we were with you, we said to you that trouble was before us; and so it came about, as you see.

^{5 Ref} For this reason, when I was no longer able to keep quiet, I sent to get news of your faith, fearing that you might be tested by the Evil One and that our work might come to nothing.

^{6 Ref} But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you;

^{7 Ref} For this cause, brothers, in all our trouble and grief we were comforted about you because of your faith;

^{8 Ref} For it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged.

^{9 Ref} For how great is the praise which we give to God for you, and how great the joy with which we are glad because of you before our God;

^{10 Ref} Night and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.

^{11 Ref} Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus make a way for us to come to you;

^{12 Ref} And the Lord give you increase of love in fullest measure to one another and to all men, even as our love to you;

^{13 Ref} So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.