Timothy’s Visit 1 UST So then, because we{ felt like we} could not possibly wait any longer, we decided that just Silas and I should stay behind in the city of Athens. BSB BSB: So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
2 UST Then, Silas and I had Timothy visit you.{ He is} our fellow believer and serves God by{ proclaiming} the good news about the Messiah.{ We had him visit you} so that he could support and encourage you as you trust{ in God}. BSB BSB: We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3 UST That way, when people hurt{ you}, you do not become unsure{ as you trust in God}. In fact, you are well aware that{ God} already decided that people would hurt us{ believers}. BSB BSB: so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
4 UST { You are well aware of that} because, while we{ apostles} were visiting you, we warned you ahead of time that others were about to hurt us{ believers}. You are well aware that this is exactly what occurred. BSB BSB: Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
5 UST Because{ others have hurt us believers}, and because I{ felt like I} could not possibly wait any longer, I had{ Timothy} visit you.{ I wanted} to learn if you were still trusting{ in God}.{ I was concerned that} the devil might have{ succeeded in} tempting you{ to stop trusting in God}.{ If that were true,} how hard we had worked among you would have accomplished nothing! BSB BSB: For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report 6 UST However, Timothy recently returned to Silas and me after visiting you. He gave us good news about how much you trust{ God} and love{ each other}.{ He told us} that whenever you think about us, it makes you happy.{ He also told us that} you desire to be with us, just as we{ desire to be with} you. BSB BSB: But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
7 UST Fellow believers, because of what{ Timothy told us}, although people were persecuting and hurting us often, God used how you continue to trust{ in him} to encourage us that you{ are doing well}. BSB BSB: For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
8 UST Indeed, since you continue{ to trust} in the Lord{ Jesus}, we feel much better now! BSB BSB: For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
9 UST In fact, we cannot thank God enough for you! We are extremely happy about you{ whenever we pray} to our God. BSB BSB: How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?
10 UST All day long we urgently ask{ God} to allow us to visit you and help you increase how much you trust{ in God}. BSB BSB: Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 UST { We pray that} God our Father and our Lord Jesus will enable us to visit you{ again}! BSB BSB: Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
12 UST { We pray that} the Lord{ Jesus} will cause you always to love each other and all people more and more. That is how we love you! BSB BSB: And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
13 UST { We pray those things} so that God will make you spiritually strong.{ That way,} God our Father will consider you to be faultlessly pure.{ He will do that} when our Lord Jesus returns to this world,{ bringing} with him everyone who belongs to him. May it be so! BSB BSB: so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.