CHAPTER 3
We sent
Timothy,
our
brother
and
God’s
fellow worker
in
the
gospel
of Christ,
to
strengthen
and
encourage
you
in
your
faith,
Indeed,
when
we were
with
you,
we kept warning you
that
we would
suffer persecution;
and as
you know,
it has come to pass.
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 caused
our
labor
to be
in
vain.
But
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.
For this reason,
brothers,
in
all
our
distress
and
persecution,
we have been reassured
about
you,
because of
your
faith.
Night
and
day
we pray
most earnestly
that
we may see
you
face to face
and
supply
what
is lacking
from your
faith.
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,
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.