¹ WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone:

² and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith:

³ that no man might be shaken by these tribulations; for ye yourselves know that thereunto we are appointed.

⁴ For when we were with you, we told you before that we were about to suffer tribulation; as also it came to pass, and ye know.

⁵ For this cause also, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain.

⁶ But now when Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you:

⁷ for this cause we have felt consolation, brethren, in you under all our tribulation and distress, because of your fidelity.

⁸ For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

⁹ For what sufficient thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,

¹⁰ night and day most fervently praying that we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith?

¹¹ Now God himself, and our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you.

¹² And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you:

¹³ to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.