1 Thessalonians 3

¹Therefore, when we could no longer hold it in, we resolved to be left behind in Athens alone. ²We sent Timothy—our brother and God’s coworker in the Good News of the Christ—to steady you and encourage you in your faith, ³so that no one would be shaken by these crushing pressures. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴Indeed, when we were with you, we told you in advance, "We are destined to be crushed," and as you know, that is exactly what happened. ⁵For this reason, when I could no longer hold out, I sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that perhaps the Tempter had tested you and our hard work would end up being for nothing.

⁶But now Timothy has just returned to us from you and brought the good news of your faith and love. He told us that you always have kind memories of us and long to see us, just as we long to see you. ⁷Because of this, brothers, we were encouraged concerning you in the midst of all our own distress and crushing pressure through your faith. ⁸For now we truly live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹How can we possibly render enough thanks to God for you in return for all the joy we feel because of you in the presence of our God? ¹⁰Night and day we keep praying beyond all measure to see you face-to-face and to supply what is still lacking in your faith.

¹¹Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to reach you. ¹²And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another and for everyone—just as we do for you— ¹³so that he may steady your hearts, making them blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the royal arrival of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.