Anderson - I Thessalonians - 3

3:1  Wherefore, being no longer able to contain ourselves, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

3:2  and we sent Timothy our brother and minister of God in the gospel of the Christ, in order that he might strengthen and comfort you with respect to your faith,

3:3  that no one be moved by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this:

3:4  for even when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were about to be afflicted, as it also came to pass, and as you know.

3:5  For this reason, when I could no longer contain myself, I sent to know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

3:6  But now, since Timothy has come to us from you, and has told us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have a good remembrance of us at all times, greatly desiring to see us, as indeed we desire to see you,

3:7  for this reason we are comforted concerning you, brethren, in all our distress and affliction, by your faith:

3:8  for now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

3:9  For what thanks can we render to God for you, for the great joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,

3:10  night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

3:11  Now, may God himself, even our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

3:12  And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love to one another and to all, even as we toward you,

3:13  in order that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness, in the presence of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.