| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. | 1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, |
| 2And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, | 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, |
| 3so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. | 3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. |
| 4In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened. | 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you 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 bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. |
| 6But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. | 6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— |
| 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. | 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. |
| 8For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. |
| 9How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, | 9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, |
| 10as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith? | 10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face 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, direct our way to you, |
| 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. | 12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do 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. | 13so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. |
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