²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory^(A) and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer,^(B) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^{(C) 2} We sent Timothy,^(D) who is our brother and co-worker^(E) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(F) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(G) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^{(H) 4} 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.^{(I) 5} For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^(J) I sent to find out about your faith.^(K) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(L) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(M)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy^(N) has just now come to us from you^(O) and has brought good news about your faith and love.^(P) 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.^{(Q) 7} Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(R) in the Lord.

The Sign of Jonah^(A)

²⁹ As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign,^(B) but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.^{(C) 30} For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹ The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom;^(D) and now something greater than Solomon is here. ³² The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah;^(E) and now something greater than Jonah is here.

The Lamp of the Body^(F)

³³ “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.^(G)