1 Thessalonians 3:1-9

1Therefore 1when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at 2Athens alone, 2and we sent 3Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3so that no one would be 4disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that 5we have been destined for this. 4For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; 67and so it came to pass, 8as you know. 5For this reason, 9when I could endure it no longer, I also 10sent to 11find out about your faith, for fear that 12the tempter might have tempted you, and 13our labor would be in vain.

6But now that 14Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of 15your faith and love, and that you always 16think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8for now we really live, if you 17stand firm in the Lord. 9For 18what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,