1 Thessalonians 3

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 That is why, when we could bear it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens	1 When we could not bear it any longer, we decided it would be best to be left without a companion atAthens,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,	2 and sent our brother Timothy, who is God's helper in spreading the gospel of Christ, to keep you firmand encourage you about your faith
3 so that no one be disturbed in these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.	3 and prevent any of you from being unsettled by the present hardships. As you know, these are bound tocome our way:
4 For even when we were among you, we used to warn you in advance that we would undergo affliction, just as has happened, as you know.	4 indeed, when we were with you, we warned you that we are certain to have hardships to bear, and thatis what has happened now, as you have found out.
5 For this reason, when I too could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had put you to the test and our toil might come to nothing.	5 That is why, when I could not bear it any longer, I sent to assure myself of your faith: I was afraid theTester might have put you to the test, and al our work might have been pointless.
6 But just now Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us as we long to see you.	6 However, Timothy has returned from you and has given us good news of your faith and your love,tel ing us that you always remember us with pleasure and want to see us quite as much as we want to see you.
7 Because of this, we have been reassured about you, brothers, in our every distress and affliction, through your faith.	7 And so, brothers, your faith has been a great encouragement to us in the middle of our own distressand hardship;
8 For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord.	8 now we can breathe again, as you are holding firm in the Lord.
9 What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?	9 How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel before our God on your account?
10 Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.	10 We are earnestly praying night and day to be able to see you face to face again and make up anyshortcomings in your faith.
11 Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you,	11 May God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, ease our path to you.
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you,	12 May the Lord increase and enrich your love for each other and for al , so that it matches ours for you.
13 so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. (Amen.)	13 And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God andFather when our Lord Jesus comes with al his holy ones.