| NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone. | 1So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens. |
| 2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, | 2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, |
| 3so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. | 3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. |
| 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. | 4Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass. |
| 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. | 5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain. |
| 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! | 6But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you. |
| 7So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith. | 7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. |
| 8For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord. |
| 9For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God? | 9How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? |
| 10We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith. | 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith. |
| 11Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. | 11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to 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, | 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, |
| 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. | 13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen. |
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