1 Thessalonians 3

Evangelical Heritage Version

Timothy’s Mission and Good Report

3 So, when we could not stand it any longer, we thought it best to remain behind in Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and coworker for God in the gospel of Christ.^[a] We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one will be shaken by these trials, for you know well that we are destined for this. ⁴ In fact, even when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer, and it happened just that way, as you know. ⁵ This is why, when I could not stand it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, because I was afraid that somehow the Tempter had tempted you and our labor might have been for nothing.

⁶ But now, Timothy has returned to us from you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and long to see us, just as much as we also long to see you. ⁷ Because of this, brothers, in all our distress and affliction, we have been encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, if you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have before God on account of you? ¹⁰ Night and day we are praying earnestly to see you in person and to supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ May God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord increase your love and make it overflow for each other and for all people, just as ours does for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints.^[b]