1 Thessalonians

3 For which reason we could stand it no longer, but were fain to be left alone in Athens, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s helper in the work of the gospel of the Christ, to reinforce your firmness and encourage you in your faith, 3 for nobody to be flurried with these distresses—for you know that this is what we are here for; 4* for even when we were with you we told you beforehand that we were to be distressed, and so it turned out, as you know. 5 This was why I myself could stand it no longer and sent to find out about your faith, for fear the Tempter had tempted you and our hard work would not amount to anything. 6* But when just now Timothy came to us from you and brought us the good news about your faith and love, and that you always keep us in kind remembrance, longing to see us just as we do to see you, 7 at this we were cheered up on your account, brothers, in all our difficulties and distresses, by your faith; 8 because we are alive now if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what adequate thanks can we return to God for you in view of all the joy we feel because of you before our God, 10 night and day making very special prayers for the chance to see your faces and set right the shortcomings of your faith? 11 And may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, clear our road to you; 12* and may the Lord give you increasing and surpassing love for each other and for everybody, the same as we have it for you, 13* to stabilize your hearts in blameless holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his holy.