3:1 So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens ¹  alone. 3:2 We ²  sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God ³  in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, 3:3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 3:4 For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. ⁴