1 Thessalonians 3:1-8

English Standard Version

3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing ^(A)to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we ^(B)sent Timothy, ^(C)our brother and God's coworker^[a] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, ³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that ^(D)we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, ^(E)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. ⁵ For this reason, ^(F)when I could bear it no longer, ^(G)I sent to learn about your faith, ^(H)for fear that somehow ^(I)the tempter had tempted you and ^(J)our labor would be in vain.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

⁶ But ^(K)now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of ^(L)your faith and love and reported ^(M)that you always remember us kindly and ^(N)long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers,^[b] in all our distress and affliction ^(O)we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you ^(P)are standing fast in the Lord.