try to keep us from speaking to the heathen so that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has overtaken them at last!

So when I could not bear it any longer, I made up my mind to stay behind alone at Athens,

and I sent my brother Timothy, a servant of God in preaching the good news of the Christ, to strengthen you in your faith

But now that Timothy has just come back to me from you, and brought me good news of your faith and love, and told me how kindly you think of me and that you long to see me just as much as I long to see you,

I feel encouraged, brothers, about you, in spite of all my distress and trouble, at your faith,

For how can I thank God enough for you, for all the happiness you make me feel in the presence of our God,

as I pray night and day with intense earnestness that I may see your faces and supply what is lacking in your faith?

May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus open my way to you!

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all men wide and full like my love for you,

so that your hearts may be strong and faultlessly pure in the sight of our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints!

so that you may have the respect of the outsiders, and not be dependent upon anybody.

who died for us so that whether we are still alive or fall asleep we may live with him.

May God himself, the giver of peace, consecrate you through and through. Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept sound, and be found irreproachable when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.