| International Standard Version | English Standard Version |
| 1Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens | 1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, |
| 2and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah, to strengthen and encourage you in 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 would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. | 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 ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that is what 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. |
| 5But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time. | 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 Timothy has just now returned from visiting you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, just as we 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— |
| 7That's why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. | 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. |
| 8For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. |
| 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we have in God's presence 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, |
| 10We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again face to face, so that we may equip you with whatever 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 and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. | 11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, |
| 12May the Lord greatly increase your love for each other and for all people, just as we love you. | 12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, |
| 13Then your hearts will be strong, blameless, and holy in the presence of God, who is our Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints. | 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. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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