Timothy’s Visit

1Therefore, bearing it no longer, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker of God in the gospel of Christ,† in order to strengthen and to encourage you⁺ on behalf of your⁺ faith, 3that no one be disturbed in these tribulations. For you⁺ yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For even when we were with you⁺, we were saying beforehand to you⁺ that we are about to suffer tribulation, just as also it came to pass, and you⁺ know. 5Because of this I also, bearing it no longer, sent in order to know your⁺ faith, lest somehow the one tempting had tempted you⁺, and our labor might be in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6But presently, Timothy having come to us from you⁺ and having brought good news to us of your⁺ faith and love, and that you⁺ have a good remembrance of us always, longing to see us just as also we you⁺, 7because of this, brothers, we were encouraged over you⁺ in all our hardship and tribulation,† because of your⁺ faith. 8For now we live, if you⁺ are standing firm in the Lord.

9For what thanksgiving are we able to recompense to God concerning you⁺ over all the joy with which we rejoice before our God because of you⁺, 10night and day imploring exceedingly in order to see your⁺ face and to complete the things lacking of your⁺ faith?

11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus,† direct our way to you⁺. 12And may the Lord cause you⁺ to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we for you⁺, 13in order to strengthen your⁺ hearts, blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.†

Footnotes:

2 BYZ and TR Timothy, our brother and minister of God and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ
7 BYZ and TR tribulation and hardship
11 BYZ and TR our Lord Jesus Christ; also in verse 13
13 SBL, WH, BYZ, and TR do not include Amen.