1 Thessalonians 3 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

So when we couldn't take it anymore, we decided it was best to be left behind in Athens by ourselves,

and we sent Timothy — our brother and God's co-worker in spreading the good news about the One — to strengthen you and encourage you in your trust,

so that none of you would be shaken by these hardships. You know very well that this is what we're signed up for.

In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you ahead of time that we were going to face suffering — and that's exactly what happened, as you well know.

That's exactly why, when I couldn't take it anymore, I sent Timothy to find out about your trust — because I was afraid that the tempter had somehow gotten to you and that all our hard work had been for nothing.

But Timothy has just now come back to us from you and brought us the great news about your trust and your love — and that you always have good memories of us and long to see us, just as we long to see you.

Because of this, brothers and sisters, in all our own distress and hardship, your trust has been the thing that encouraged us.

Because now we really live, knowing that you're standing firm in the Lord.

How can we possibly thank God enough for you, with all the joy you've given us in God's presence?

Night and day we're praying as hard as we can that we'll get to see you face to face and fill in whatever is still missing in your trust.

May God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

And may the Lord make your love for each other and for everyone overflow and keep growing — the same kind of love we have for you.

May he make your hearts strong and without fault before God our Father when our Lord Jesus arrives with all those who are set apart as his own.