¹Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone.[#1Th 3:5; #Ac 17:15]

²We sent Timothy, who is our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish and comfort you with regard to your faith,

³so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this.[#Ac 9:16; 14:22]

⁴Indeed, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it came to pass, as you well know.[#1Th 2:14]

⁵For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to inquire about your faith, lest by some means the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor might have been in vain.[#Mt 4:3; #Php 2:16]

⁶But just now Timothy has come from you to us and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, as we also desire to see you.[#Ac 18:5; #1Th 1:3]

⁷Therefore, brothers, during all our afflictions and distress, we have been encouraged about you through your faith.[#2Co 1:4]

⁸For now we live, if you stand strong in the Lord.[#1Co 16:13]

⁹For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,

¹⁰night and day praying earnestly that we might see your face and might complete that which is lacking in your faith?[#2Ti 1:3; #2Co 13:9]

¹¹Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.[#1Th 3:13; 2Th 2:16]

¹²And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you.[#Php 1:9; 1Th 4:9–10]

¹³To this end may He establish your hearts to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.[#1Th 2:19]