1 Therefore when we couldn’t stand it
any longer, we thought it good to be left
behind at Athens alone,

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and
God’s servant in the Good News of Christ,
to establish you and to comfort you
concerning your faith,

3 that no one would be moved by these
afflictions. For you know that we are
appointed to this task.

4 For most certainly, when we were with
you, we told you beforehand that we are to
suffer affliction, even as it happened, and
you know.

5 For this cause I also, when I couldn’t
stand it any longer, sent that I might know
your faith, for fear that by any means the
tempter had tempted you, and our labor
would have been in vain.

6 But Timothy has just now come to us
from you, and brought us glad news of
your faith and love, and that you have
good memories of us always, longing to see
us, even as we also long to see you.

7 For this cause, brothers, we were comforted
over you in all our distress and affliction
through your faith.