3:1 为此，我们不能再等待，就决意独自留在雅典，
That is why, when we could bear it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens 3:2 而打发我们的弟兄和在基督的福音上，作天主仆人的弟茂德前去，为在信德上坚固鼓励你们，
and sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3:3 不叫任何人在这些困苦中受到动摇；你们自己原也知道：我们是注定要受苦的，
so that no one be disturbed in these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 3:4 因为我们还在你们那里的时候，已给你们预言了，我们将遭受磨难；你们看，现在就发生了。
For even when we were among you, we used to warn you in advance that we would undergo affliction, just as has happened, as you know. 3:5 为此，我既不能再等待，遂派他去探悉你们的信德，怕那诱惑者诱惑了你们，而使我们的劳苦等于白费了。
For this reason, when I too could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had put you to the test and our toil might come to nothing. 3:6 现今，弟茂德从你们那里回到我们这里，对你们的信德和爱德，给我们报告了好消息；并说你们时常想念我们，渴望见到我们，就像我们渴望见到你们一样。
But just now Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us as we long to see you. 3:7 为此，弟兄们，我们在一切磨难困苦中，因了你们的信德，由你们获得了安慰。
Because of this, we have been reassured about you, brothers, in our every distress and affliction, through your faith. 3:8 因为若是你们在主内站立稳定，我们现在就能活下去。
For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 3:9 我们为了你们的原故，在我们的天主前甚为喜乐：对这一切喜乐，我们能怎样感谢，好为你们称谢天主呢﹖
What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God? 3:10 我们惟有黑夜白日恳切祈求，为能见到你们的面，为能弥补你们信德的缺陷。
Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith. 3:11 但愿天主我们的父和我们的主耶稣，铺平我们去你们那里的道路。
Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, 3:12 愿主使你们彼此间的爱情，和对众人的爱情增长满溢，就像我们对你们所有的爱情，
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, 3:13 好坚固你们的心，使你们在我们的主耶稣同衪的众圣者来临时，于天主我们的父前，在圣德上无可指摘。
so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. (Amen.) 5