Parallel Bible results for "1 thessalonians 3"

1 Thessalonians 3

New Living Translation NLT

1 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,

2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,

3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.

5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you.

7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.

8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence.

10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon.

12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

The Message Bible MSG

1 So when we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens

2 and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times. He's a brother and companion in the faith, God's man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

3 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling.

4 When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it's happened, you know what it's like.

5 That's why I couldn't quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn't want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

6 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It's especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you!

7 In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you're doing keeps us going.

8 Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.

9 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you?

10 We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

11 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you!

12 And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.

13 May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.