| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens | 1So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone. |
| 2and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, | 2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, |
| 3so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. | 3so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. |
| 4In fact, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that is what happened. | 4For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. |
| 5But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time. | 5So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless. |
| 6But Timothy has just now returned from visiting you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, just as we want to see you. | 6But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you! |
| 7That's why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. | 7So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith. |
| 8For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord. |
| 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we have in God's presence because of you? | 9For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God? |
| 10We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again face to face, so that we may equip you with whatever is lacking in your faith. | 10We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith. |
| 11Now may our God and Father and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. | 11Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. |
| 12May the Lord greatly increase your love for each other and for all people, just as we love you. | 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, |
| 13Then your hearts will be strong, blameless, and holy in the presence of God, who is our Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints. | 13so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. |
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