1 Thessalonians 3
Worldwide English (New Testament)
3 We felt we could not wait any longer. So we thought it best to stay at the city of Athens alone.
2 And we sent our brother Timothy to you. He works for God by telling the good news about Christ. We sent him to help you be strong and to encourage you in what you believe.
3 We do not want anyone to give up because of the trouble. You yourselves know that we all will surely have trouble.
4 When we were with you, we told you that we would have trouble. Trouble came. And now you know what we said is true.
5 That is why I could not wait any longer. I sent Timothy to find out if you were still believing. I was afraid that Satan had tried you too much. Then our work would have been for nothing.
6 But now Timothy has come back to us from you. He has brought us the good news that you are still believing and have love in your hearts. He has told us that you always remember us. He also told us that you want to see us, just as we want to see you.
7 My brothers, the way you believe has comforted us in all our troubles.
8 It gives us new life now to know that you are standing strong in the Lord.
9 We cannot thank God enough for you. We are very happy about you as we talk to God.
10 Night and day we ask God that we may see you face to face. We want to help you know more about what you believe.
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, open the way for us to come to you.
12 May the Lord make you stronger in your love for each other. Love others in the way we love you.
13 We want the Lord to help you to stand strong. And then, when the Lord Jesus comes with all God's people, you will be holy in the eyes of our God and Father. He will see no fault in you.
1 Thessalonians 3
Christian Standard Bible
Anxiety in Athens
3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.(A) 2 And we sent Timothy,(B) our brother and God’s coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ,(C) to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
Encouraged by Timothy
6 But now Timothy has come to us(D) from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you.(E) 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm(F) in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy(G) we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face(H) and to complete what is lacking in your faith?(I)
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father(J) himself, and our Lord Jesus,(K) direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love(L) for one another(M) and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless(N) in holiness(O) before our God and Father at the coming(P) of our Lord(Q) Jesus with all his saints. Amen.[b]
1 Thessalonians 3
Legacy Standard Bible
Timothy’s Good Report
3 Therefore (A)when we could endure it no longer, we were pleased to be left behind at (B)Athens alone, 2 and we sent (C)Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that (D)we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction, (E)just as it happened and as you know. 5 For this reason, (F)when I could endure it no longer, I also (G)sent to know about your faith, lest somehow (H)the tempter has tempted you, and (I)our labor be in vain.
6 But now that (J)Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of (K)your faith and love, and that you always (L)remember us kindly, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you (M)stand firm in the Lord. 9 For (N)what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God because of you, 10 as we (O)night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may (P)see your face, and may (Q)complete what is lacking in your faith?
11 (R)Now may (S)our God and Father (T)Himself and Jesus our Lord (U)direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and (V)abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you, 13 so that He may (W)strengthen your hearts (X)blameless in holiness, before (Y)our God and Father, at the [a](Z)coming of our Lord Jesus (AA)with all His [b]saints.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or presence
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or holy ones
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