[1] Therefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, [2] and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer 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 you yourselves know that thereunto we are appointed. [4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, as ye know. [5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor be in vain. [6] But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have a good remembrance of us always and desire greatly to see us (as we also desire to see you), [7] therefore brethren, we were comforted concerning 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 rejoice for your sakes before our God, [10] as we pray earnestly night and day that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? [11] Now may God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you. [12] And may 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 that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
