1 SO when we could no longer endure the anxiety, we chose to be left at Athens alone

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

3 that no one might be disturbed in these trials. For you yourselves know that we are destined to this.

4 For when we were with you we told you in advance, "We shall soon have trouble." And so it came to pass, as you know.

5 Therefore, when I could no longer endure the anxiety, I sent to know about your faith for fear that the tempter had tempted you and our labor had gone for nothing.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always keep us well in mind and long to see us, just as we long to see you,

7 we have been cheered, brethren, in regard to you, in all our straits and distresses by your faith.

8 Now we are living, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

9 For how can we be grateful enough to God for you in view of all the joy we have because of you,

10 while we pray beyond measure night and day that we may see your faces and make good whatever lacks there may be in your faith?

11 May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus Christ open the way for us to come to you.

12 The Lord make you to abound and overflow in love toward one another and toward all men, just as we do toward you,

13 that your hearts may be made firm and you may be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.