1 Wherefore, being no longer able to refrain ourselves, we thought good to be left alone in Athens,2 and sent Timotheus, our brother and fellow-workman under God in the glad tidings of Christ, to confirm you and encourage {you} concerning your faith,3 that no one might be moved by these afflictions. (For yourselves know that we are set for this;4 for also, when we were with you, we told you beforehand we are about to be in tribulation, even as also it came to pass, and ye know.)5 For this reason *I* also, no longer able to refrain myself, sent to know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be come to nothing.6 But Timotheus having just come to us from you, and brought to us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have always good remembrance of us, desiring much to see us, even as we also you;7 for this reason we have been comforted in you, brethren, in all our distress and tribulation, through your faith,8 because now we live if *ye* stand firm in {the} Lord.9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on account of you before our God,10 night and day beseeching exceedingly to the end that we may see your face, and perfect what is lacking in your faith?11 But our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.12 But you, may the Lord make to exceed and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also towards you,13 in order to the confirming of your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Daarom, toe ons dit nie langer kon uithou nie, het ons besluit om in Ath,ne alleen agter te bly;2 en ons het Timothes, ons broeder en dienaar van God en ons medewerker in die evangelie van Christus, gestuur om julle te versterk en julle te bemoedig in julle geloof,3 sodat niemand verontrus mag word onder hierdie verdrukkinge nie; want julle weet self dat ons hiervoor bestemd is.4 Want ook toe ons by julle was, het ons julle vooruit gesê dat ons verdruk sou word, soos dit ook gebeur het en soos julle weet.5 Daarom, toe ek dit nie langer kon uithou nie, het ek ook gestuur om julle geloof te wete te kom, of die versoeker julle nie miskien versoek het en ons arbeid tevergeefs sou wees nie.6 Maar nou dat Timothes net van julle af by ons aangekom het en ons die goeie tyding van julle geloof en liefde gebring het, en dat julle altyd 'n goeie herinnering aan ons behou en verlang om ons te sien, net soos ons ook vir julle --7 daarom, broeders, is ons in al ons verdrukking en nood vertroos oor julle deur jul geloof.8 Want nou leef ons, as julle vasstaan in die Here.9 Want watter dank kan ons God vergelde oor julle vir al die blydskap waarmee ons om julle ontwil ons verbly voor onse God,10 terwyl ons nag en dag baie ernstig bid om julle aangesig te sien en te voltooi wat aan julle geloof ontbreek?11 Maar mag onse God en Vader self en onse Here Jesus Christus ons weg na julle toe rig;12 en mag die Here julle ryk en oorvloedig maak in liefde vir mekaar en vir almal, soos ons ook teenoor julle is,13 sodat Hy julle harte kan versterk om onberispelik te wees in heiligheid voor onse God en Vader by die wederkoms van onse Here Jesus Christus met al sy heiliges.