| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, | 1So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens. |
| 2and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, | 2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, |
| 3that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. | 3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. |
| 4For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. | 4Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass. |
| 5For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. | 5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain. |
| 6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— | 6But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you. |
| 7therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. | 7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. |
| 8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. | 8For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord. |
| 9For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, | 9How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? |
| 10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? | 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith. |
| 11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. | 11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. |
| 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, | 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, |
| 13so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. | 13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen. |
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