我們既不能再忍，就願意獨自等在
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
我們既不能再忍，就願意獨自等在
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
打發我們的兄弟在基督福音上作神執事的
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
免得有人被諸般患難搖動。因為你們自己知道，我們受患難原是命定的。
that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
我們在你們那裏的時候，預先告訴你們，我們必受患難，以後果然應驗了，你們也知道。
For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
為此，我既不能再忍，就打發人去，要曉得你們的信心如何，恐怕那誘惑人的到底誘惑了你們，叫我們的勞苦歸於徒然。
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
但
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you —
所以，弟兄們，我們在一切困苦患難之中，因著你們的信心就得了安慰。
for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
你們若靠主站立得穩，我們就活了。
For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
我們在神面前，因著你們甚是喜樂；為這一切喜樂，可用何等的感謝為你們報答神呢？
For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
我們晝夜切切地祈求，要見你們的面，補滿你們信心的不足。
as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
願神──我們的父和我們的主耶穌一直引領我們到你們那裏去。
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,
又願主叫你們彼此相愛的心，並愛眾人的心都能增長，充足，如同我們愛你們一樣，
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
好使你們當我們主耶穌同他眾聖徒來的時候，在我們父神面前，心裏堅固，成為聖潔，無可責備。
so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.