| International Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens | 1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. |
| 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, | 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 would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. | 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 ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that is what 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. |
| 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 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 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 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. |
| 7That's why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. | 7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. |
| 8For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm 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? | 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? |
| 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. | 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 and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. | 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. |
| 12May the Lord greatly increase your love for each other and for all people, just as we love you. | 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does 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. | 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 Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | 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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