1Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
1Derfor, da vi ikke længer kunde udholde det, besluttede vi at lades alene tilbage i Athen,
2and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
2og vi sendte Timotheus, vor Broder og Guds Tjener i Kristi Evangelium, for at styrke eder og formane eder angående eders Tro,
3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.
3for at ingen skulde blive vakelmodig i disse Trængsler; I vide jo selv, at dertil ere vi bestemte.
4For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
4Thi også da vi vare hos eder, sagde vi eder det forud, at vi skulde komme til at lide Trængsler, som det også er sket, og som I vide.
5For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
5Derfor sendte også jeg Bud, da jeg ikke længer kunde udholde det, for at få Besked om eders Tro, om måske Fristeren skulde have fristet eder, og vor Møje skulde blive forgæves.
6But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;
6Men nu, da Timotheus er kommen til os fra eder og har bragt os godt Budskab om eders Tro og Kærlighed og om, at I altid have os i god Ihukommelse, idet I længes efter at se os, ligesom vi efter eder:
7for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.
7så ere vi af den Grund, Brødre! blevne trøstede med Hensyn til eder under al vor Nød og Trængsel, ved eders Tro.
8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
8Thi nu leve vi, når I stå fast i Herren.
9For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;
9Thi hvilken Tak kunne vi bringe Gud for eder til Gengæld for al den Glæde; hvormed vi glæde os over eder for vor Guds Åsyn,
10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
10idet vi Nat og Dag inderligt bede om at måtte få eder selv at se og råde Bod på eders Tros Mangler?
11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;
11Men han selv, vor Gud og Fader, og vor Herre Jesus Kristus styre vor Vej til eder!
12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,
12Men eder lade Herren vokse og blive overvættes rige i Kærligheden til hverandre og til alle, ligesom vi have den til eder,
13to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
13så at han styrker eders Hjerter og gør dem udadlelige i Hellighed for Gud og vor Fader i vor Herres Jesu Tilkommelse med alle hans hellige!