1 thessalonians 3 (NMV)
1 So when we could no longer endure it, we decided to be left behind in Athens alone,
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3 so that no one would be shaken by these troubles. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to to face pressure and suffering, and it happened, just as you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer bear it, I sent to learn about your faith, fearing that the tempter might have tempted you, and that our labor might have been in vain.
6 But now Timothy has just returned to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
7 Because of this, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and suffering, we were encouraged about you through your faith.
8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we feel before our God because of you?
10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.
12 And may the Lord cause your love to increase and overflow for one another and for everyone, just as ours does for you.
13 May He 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.