1 Thessalonians 3

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 When we could not bear it any longer, we decided it would be best to be left without a companion atAthens,	1 Because of this, willing to wait no longer, it was pleasing to us to remain at Athens, alone.
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	2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and a minister of God in the Gospel of Christ, to confirm you and to exhort you, on behalf of your faith,
3 and prevent any of you from being unsettled by the present hardships. As you know, these are bound tocome our way:	3 so that no one would be disturbed during these tribulations. For you yourselves know that we have been appointed to this.
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.	4 For even while we were with you, we predicted to you that we would suffer tribulations, even as it has happened, and as you know.
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.	5 For this reason also, I was not willing to wait any longer, and I sent to find out about your faith, lest perhaps he who tempts may have tempted you, and our labor might have been in vain.
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.	6 But then, when Timothy arrived to us from you, he reported to us your faith and charity, and that you keep a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, just as we likewise desire to see you.
7 And so, brothers, your faith has been a great encouragement to us in the middle of our own distressand hardship;	7 As a result, we were consoled in you, brothers, in the midst of all our difficulties and tribulations, through your faith.
8 now we can breathe again, as you are holding firm in the Lord.	8 For we now live so that you may stand firm in the Lord.
9 How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel before our God on your account?	9 For what thanks would we be able to repay to God because of you, for all the joy with which we rejoice over you before our God?
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.	10 For night and day, ever more abundantly, we are praying that we may see your face, and that we may complete those things that are lacking in your faith.
11 May God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, ease our path to you.	11 But may God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 May the Lord increase and enrich your love for each other and for al , so that it matches ours for you.	12 And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you,
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.	13 in order to confirm your hearts without blame, in sanctity, before God our Father, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.