1 Thessalonians, Chapter 3

1. Therefore when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left at 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 one should be moved by these afflictions: for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.    4. For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we would suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.    5. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor was in vain.    6. But now when Timothy came from you to us, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:    7. Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:    8. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.    9. For what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;    10. Night and day praying exceedingly 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 to you.    12. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:    13. To the end that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.