帖撒羅尼迦前書
CH. 3
1
我們既不能再忍、就願意獨自等在雅典.

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.
2
打發我們的兄弟在基督福音上作 神執事的提摩太前去、〔作 神執事的有古卷作與 神同工的〕堅固你們、並在你們所信的道上勸慰你們.

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3
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。

so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.
4
我們在你們那裡的時候、豫先告訴你們、我們必受患難、以後果然應驗了、你們也知道。

In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
5
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 stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
6
但提摩太剛纔從你們那裡回來、將你們信心和愛心的好消息報給我們、又說你們常常記念我們、切切的想見我們、如同我們想見你們一樣.

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
7
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.

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8
你們若靠主站立得穩、我們就活了。

For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
9
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。

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
10
我們晝夜切切的祈求、要見你們的面、補滿你們信心的不足。

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11
願 神我們的父、和我們的主耶穌、一直引領我們到你們那裡去.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
12
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.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
13
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、心裡堅固、成為聖潔、無可責備。

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.