English Standard Version ESV
New King James Version NKJV
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
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Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
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and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
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that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
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For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
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For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
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—
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But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you--
7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
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therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
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For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
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For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
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night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,
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Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
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And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
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so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.