3:1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
3:1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens;

3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you in your faith and to exhort you,
3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith,

3:3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. You yourselves know that this is to be our lot.
3:3 so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.

3:4 For when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction; just as it has come to pass, and as you know.
3:4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know.

3:5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent that I might know your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor would be in vain.
3:5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.

3:6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you --
3:6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us--just as we long to see you.

3:7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith;
3:7 For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith.

3:8 for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
3:8 For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord.

3:9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God,
3:9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

3:10 praying earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

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

3:12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you,
3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

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.
3:13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.