1Wherefore, being no longer able to refrain ourselves, we thought good to be left alone in Athens,

2and sent Timotheus, our brother and fellow-workman under ²¹God in the glad tidings of Christ, to confirm you and encourage [you] concerning your faith,

3that no one might be moved by these afflictions. (For yourselves know that we are set for this;

4for also, when we were with you, we told you beforehand we are about to be in tribulation, even as also it came to pass, and ye know.)

5For this reason I also, no longer able to refrain myself, sent to know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be come to nothing.

6But Timotheus having just come to us from you, and brought to us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have always good remembrance of us, desiring much to see us, even as we also you;

7for this reason we have been comforted in you, brethren, in all our distress and tribulation, through your faith,

8because now we live if ye stand firm in [the] Lord.

9For what thanksgiving can we render to ²²God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on account of you before our ²³God,

10night and day beseeching exceedingly to the end that we may see your face, and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

11But our ²⁴God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

12But you, may the Lord make to exceed and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also towards you,

13in order to the confirming of your hearts unblamable in holiness before our ²⁵God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.