1 Thessalonians 3

¹Therefore, no longer enduring it, we thought it best to be left behind in Athens alone,

²and we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker of God in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and to encourage you concerning your faith,

³that no one be shaken by these tribulations; for you yourselves know that we are appointed for this.

⁴For indeed, when we were with you, we were telling you beforehand that we are about to suffer affliction, just as also it came about, and you know.

⁵For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor had been in vain.

⁶But now, Timothy having come to us from you and having brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have a kindly remembrance of us, longing to see us, just as we also long to see you,

⁷for this reason we were encouraged, brothers and sisters, over you, in all our distress and tribulation, through your faith;

⁸for now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

⁹For what thanksgiving are we able to render to God concerning you, in return for all the joy with which we rejoice on account of you before our God,

¹⁰night and day praying beyond all measure to see your face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹Now may God himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you;

¹²and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you,

¹³to strengthen your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his holy ones, [amen].