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 .