| International Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens | 1Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. |
| 2and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, | 2And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, |
| 3so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. | 3so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. |
| 4In fact, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that is what happened. | 4In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. |
| 5But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time. | 5For 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. |
| 6But Timothy has just now returned from visiting you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, just as we want to see you. | 6But now Timothy has come to us 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. |
| 7That's why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. | 7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. |
| 8For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. | 8For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. |
| 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we have in God's presence because of you? | 9How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, |
| 10We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again face to face, so that we may equip you with whatever is lacking in your faith. | 10as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith? |
| 11Now may our God and Father and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. | 11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. |
| 12May the Lord greatly increase your love for each other and for all people, just as we love you. | 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. |
| 13Then your hearts will be strong, blameless, and holy in the presence of God, who is our Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints. | 13May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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