Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;
and sent Timothy, our brother and {Some ancient authorities read fellow-worker with God.}God's minister in the {Greek: good tidings. See chapter 1:5.}gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.
For verily, when we were with you, we told you {Or, plainly}beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you;
for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:
for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Now may {Or, God himself and our Father}our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before {Or, God and our Father}our God and Father, at the {Greek: presence. Compare 2 Corinthians 10:10.}coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints {Many ancient authorities add Amen.}.
Querverweise zu 1. Thessalonicher 3,10 1Thes 3,10
and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.
Now may {Or, God himself and our Father}our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for {Greek: a season of an hour.}a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire:
that is, that I with you may be comforted {Or, among}in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day
because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second {Or, grace Some ancient authorities read joy}benefit;
And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying,Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and {Or, who cometh}who is to come.
making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered {Greek: in.}by the will of God to come unto you.
Not that we have lordship over your {Or, your faith}faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.
Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his {Or, sanctuary}temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judæa, and that my ministration which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;
that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest.
For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
Finally, brethren, {Or, rejoice: be perfected}farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy {Or, of faith}in the faith;
whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
Epaphras, who is one of you, a {Greek: bondservant.}servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every {Greek: good pleasure of goodness. Compare Romans 10:1.}desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power;