Concern for Their Faith
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sentTimothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know thatwe are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith,lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, andour labor might be in vain.
Encouraged by Timothy
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us,as we alsotoseeyou—
7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distresswe were comforted concerning you by your faith.
8 For now we live, if youstand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your faceand perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ,direct our way to you.
12 And may the Lord make you increase andabound in love to one another and to all, just as wedoto you,
13 so that He may establishyour hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.