New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens;
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At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith,
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We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith;
3 so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.
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So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us.
4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know.
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And when we were with you, we said to you that trouble was before us; and so it came about, as you see.
5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.
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For this reason, when I was no longer able to keep quiet, I sent to get news of your faith, fearing that you might be tested by the Evil One and that our work might come to nothing.
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us—just as we long to see you.
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But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you;
7 For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith.
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For this cause, brothers, in all our trouble and grief we were comforted about you because of your faith;
8 For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord.
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For it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged.
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?
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For how great is the praise which we give to God for you, and how great the joy with which we are glad because of you before our God;
10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
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Night and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.
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 make a way for us to come to you;
12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.
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And the Lord give you increase of love in fullest measure to one another and to all men, even as our love to you;
13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
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So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.