3:1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;
3:1 Therefore when we could endure [it] no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone;

3:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort (you) concerning your faith;
3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

3:3 that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.
3:3 so that no man may be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
3:4 For indeed when we were with you, we [kept] telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.

3:5 For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
3:5 For this reason, when I could endure [it] no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

3:6 But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also (to see) you;
3:6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,

3:7 for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:
3:7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

3:8 for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
3:8 for now we [really] live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

3:9 For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
3:9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,

3:10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
3:10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

3:11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:
3:11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;

3:12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also (do) toward you;
3:12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also [do] for you;

3:13 to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
3:13 so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.