3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind alone in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the Good News of Messiah, in order to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know we are destined for this. 4 For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer persecution—just as has happened, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faithfulness, for fear that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be in vain.
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you and brought us the good news of your faithfulness and love, and that you always have good memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you— 7 because of this, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and trouble, we were comforted about you by your faithfulness. 8 For now we live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks would be enough to offer to God, in return for all the joy we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night time and day time we keep praying more than ever to see you face to face,[a] and mend any shortcomings in your faith.
Thanks, Joy, and Love Before God
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Yeshua our Lord direct our way to you. 12 May the Lord also cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you, 13 in order to strengthen your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Yeshua with all His kedoshim. Amen.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Lit. to see your face.