3 Wherefore
when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens
alone; 2 And
sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer
in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning
your faith: 3 That
no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that
we are appointed thereunto. 4 For
verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer
tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5 For
this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith,
lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in
vain. 6 But
now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings
of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always,
desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
7
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and
distress by your faith: 8 For
now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For
what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith
we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 Night
and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect
that which is lacking in your faith? 11 Now
God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto
you. 12 And
the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and
toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To
the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God,
even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
