| New Living Translation | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, | 1Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, |
| 2and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, | 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, |
| 3and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. | 3so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. |
| 4Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. | 4For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. |
| 5That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. | 5For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. |
| 6But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. | 6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, |
| 7So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. | 7for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; |
| 8It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. | 8for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. |
| 9How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. | 9For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, |
| 10Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith. | 10as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? |
| 11May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. | 11Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; |
| 12And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. | 12and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; |
| 13May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. | 13so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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