3 We couldn’t wait any longer. So we thought it was best to be left by ourselves in Athens. ² We sent our brother Timothy to give you strength and hope in your faith. He works together with us in God’s service to spread the good news about Christ. ³ We sent him so that no one would be upset by times of testing. You know very well that we have to go through times of testing. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, here is what we kept telling you. We were telling you that our enemies would make us suffer. As you know very well, it has turned out that way. ⁵ That’s the reason I sent someone to find out about your faith. I couldn’t wait any longer. I was afraid that Satan had tempted you in some way. Then our work among you would have been useless.

Timothy Brings a Good Report

⁶ But Timothy has come to us from you just now. He has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us. He has also said that you desire to see us, just as we desire to see you. ⁷ Brothers and sisters, in all our trouble and suffering your faith encouraged us. ⁸ Now we really live, because you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you? We thank God because of all the joy we have in his presence. We have this joy because of you. ¹⁰ Night and day we pray very hard that we will see you again. We want to give you what is missing in your faith.

¹¹ Now may a way be opened up for us to come to you. May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus do this. ¹² May the Lord make your love grow. May it be like a rising flood. May your love for one another increase. May it also increase for everyone else. May it be just like our love for you. ¹³ May the Lord give you strength in your hearts. Then you will be holy and without blame in the sight of our God and Father. May that be true when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.