1At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

2We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith;

3So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us.

4And when we were with you, we said to you that trouble was before us; and so it came about, as you see.

5For this reason, when I was no longer able to keep quiet, I sent to get news of your faith, fearing that you might be tested by the Evil One and that our work might come to nothing.

6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you;

7For this cause, brothers, in all our trouble and grief we were comforted about you because of your faith;

8For it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged.

9For how great is the praise which we give to God for you, and how great the joy with which we are glad because of you before our God;

10Night and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.

11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus make a way for us to come to you;

12And the Lord give you increase of love in fullest measure to one another and to all men, even as our love to you;

13So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.