| Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. | 1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. |
| 2And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, | 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, |
| 3so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. | 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. |
| 4In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. | 4In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. |
| 5For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing. | 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. |
| 6But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. | 6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. |
| 7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. | 7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. |
| 8For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. |
| 9How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, | 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? |
| 10as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith? | 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. |
| 11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. | 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. |
| 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. | 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. |
| 13May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen. | 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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