Therefore enduring (it) no longer
we thought it best to be left behind in Athens alone,
and we sent Timothy, our brother
and God’s fellow-worker
in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
to strengthen you
and to encourage your faith
so that no one might be shaken by these afflictions
for you yourselves know that we were destined for this.
For when we were with you,
we told you
in advance
again and again
that we would be afflicted,
and so it has happened, as you know.
Because of this I
– bearing it no longer –
sent to find out about your faith,
(I was afraid) that the tempter had somehow tempted you
and our work might have been in vain.
O thou, who art the light of the minds that know thee,
the life of the souls that love thee,
and the strength of the wills that serve thee;
help us so to know thee that we may truly love thee;
so to love thee that we may fully serve thee,
whom to serve is perfect freedom.
Amen