3:1 So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens 1 alone. 3:2 We 2 sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God 3 in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, 3:3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 3:4 For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. 4 3:5 So 5 when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.
3:6 But now Timothy has come 6 to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection 7 and long to see us just as we also long to see you! 8 3:7 So 9 in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, 10 through your faith. 3:8 For now we are alive again, 11 if you stand firm in the Lord. 3:9 For how can we thank God enough for you, 12 for all the joy we feel 13 because of you before our God? 3:10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person 14 and make up what may be lacking in your faith.