1 Thessalonians 3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens(A) 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith,(B) 3 so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.(C) 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.(D)
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you.(E) 7 For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.(F)
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.(G) 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.[b](H)
1 Thessalonians 3
English Standard Version
3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing (A)to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we (B)sent Timothy, (C)our brother and God's coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that (D)we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, (E)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, (F)when I could bear it no longer, (G)I sent to learn about your faith, (H)for fear that somehow (I)the tempter had tempted you and (J)our labor would be in vain.
Timothy's Encouraging Report
6 But (K)now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of (L)your faith and love and reported (M)that you always remember us kindly and (N)long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers,[b] in all our distress and affliction (O)we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you (P)are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For (Q)what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly (R)night and day (S)that we may see you face to face and (T)supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may (U)our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, (V)direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord (W)make you increase and abound in love (X)for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may (Y)establish your hearts blameless in holiness before (Z)our God and Father, at (AA)the coming of our Lord Jesus (AB)with all his saints.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Some manuscripts servant
- 1 Thessalonians 3:7 Or brothers and sisters
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
