| International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens | 1Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, |
| 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, | 2and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, |
| 3so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. | 3and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. |
| 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. | 4Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, 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. | 5That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been 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 just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. |
| 7That's why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. | 7So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. |
| 8For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. | 8It gives us new life to know that you are standing 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? | 9How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. |
| 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. | 10Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith. |
| 11Now may our God and Father and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. | 11May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. |
| 12May the Lord greatly increase your love for each other and for all people, just as we love you. | 12And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. |
| 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. | 13May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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