Dual Panel1We couldn’t come to you, but it was very hard to wait any longer. So we decided to send Timothy to you and stay in Athens alone. Timothy is our brother. He works with God to tell people the Good News
2(3:1)
3We sent Timothy so that none of you would be upset by these troubles we have now. You yourselves know that we must have these troubles.
4Even when we were with you, we told you that we all would have to suffer. And you know that it happened the way we said.
5This is why I sent {Timothy} to you, so that I could know about your faith. I sent him when I could not wait any more. I was afraid that the one (the devil) who tempts people might have defeated you with temptations. Then our hard work would have been wasted.
6But Timothy came back to us from you. He told us good news about your faith and love. Timothy told us that you always remember us in a good way. He told us that you want very much to see us again. And it is the same with us—we want very much to see you.
7So, brothers and sisters, we are comforted about you, because of your faith. We have much trouble and suffering, but still we are comforted.
8Our life is really full if you stand strong in the Lord.
9We have so much joy before our God because of you! So we thank God for you. But we cannot thank him enough for all the joy we feel.
10We continue praying very strongly for you night and day. We pray that we can be there and see you again and give you all the things you need to make your faith strong.
11We pray that our God and Father and our Lord Jesus will prepare the way for us to come to you.
12We pray that the Lord will make your love grow. We pray that he will give you more and more love for each other and for all people. We pray that you will love all people like we love you.
13We pray this so that your hearts will be made strong. Then you will be holy