Timothy’s Visit

1Therefore no longer containing, we delighted to be left alone at Athens; 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God in the gospel of Christ, in order to establish you, and exhort you concerning your faith; 3that no one should be shaken in these tribulations. For you know that for this we are appointed. 4For indeed, when we were with you, we foretold you that we are about to suffer tribulation; as indeed took place, and you know it. 5Therefore I indeed, no longer containing, sent that I might know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter tempted you, and our labor may be in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6But Timothy, having already come to us from you, and proclaimed to us the good news of your faith and your divine love, and that you always have a good mention of us, longing to see us, as we do to see you; 7therefore we were comforted, brethren, over you in all our distress and tribulation on account of your faith; 8because we now live, if you stand in the Lord. 9For what thanks are we able to render unto God in your behalf, for all the joy with which we rejoice on account of you before our God; 10night and day praying incessantly that we may see your face, and perfect the deficiencies of your faith?

11But God himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: 12and the Lord fill you and cause you to superabound in divine love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also do towards you; 13in order to establish your hearts blameless in holiness in the presence of God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints: amen.