1 Thessalonians 3 Expanded Bible (EXB)

3 When we could ·not wait any [endure it no] longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone ² and send Timothy to you. Timothy, our brother, ·works with us [is our coworker] for God ·and helps us tell people the Good News about [^Lin the Gospel of] Christ. We sent him to strengthen and ·encourage [comfort; or exhort] you in your faith ³ so none of you would be ·upset [disturbed; shaken] by these ·troubles [trials]. [^LFor] You yourselves know that we ·must face these troubles [^Lare destined/appointed for this]. ⁴ [^LFor] Even when we were with you, we told you [^Lin advance] we all would have to ·suffer [be persecuted; suffer hardship/affliction], and you know it has happened. ⁵ Because of this, when I could ·wait [endure it] no longer, I sent Timothy to you so I could learn about your faith. I was afraid ·the devil [^Lthe tempter] had tempted you, and perhaps our hard work would have been ·wasted [in vain; for nothing].

⁶ But Timothy now has come back to us from you and has brought us good news about your faith and love. He told us that you always remember us in a good way and that you ·want [long] to see us just as much as we ·want [long] to see you. ⁷ So, brothers and sisters, ·while we have much [^Lin all of our] ·trouble [distress] and ·suffering [trials; persecution], we are ·encouraged [comforted; reassured] about you because of your faith. ⁸ ·Our life is really full [^LFor now we live/are alive (again)] ·if you stand [since you are standing] ·strong [firm; fast] in the Lord. ⁹ ·We cannot thank God enough [^LFor what thanks can we give to God…?] for all the joy we feel ·in God’s presence [before our God] because of you. ¹⁰ Night and day we continue praying ·with all our heart [most earnestly] that we can see you again and ·give you all the things you need [^Lstrengthen/supply what is lacking] to make your faith strong.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus ·prepare [clear; direct] the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love grow more and ·multiply [abound; overflow] for each other and for all people ·so that you will love others as we love you [or just as our love abounds for you]. ¹³ ·May your hearts [^L…so that your hearts may] be made strong so that you will be holy and ·without fault [blameless] before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his ·holy ones [^Tsaints; or holy angels].