1 Thessalonians

The first epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, chapter 3, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 3 New English Translation

   1 So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone. 2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. 5 So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.
   6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you! 7 So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith. 8 For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the LORD. 9 For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God? 10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.
   11 Now may God our Father himself and our LORD Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the LORD cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, 13 so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our LORD Jesus with all his saints.

King James Version

   1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
   2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
   3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
   4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
   5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
   6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
   7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
   8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
   9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
   10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
   11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
   12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
   13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.