Encouraged by Timothy

But now Timothy has come to us(A) from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you.(B) Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. For now we live, if you stand firm(C) in the Lord. How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy(D) we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face(E) and to complete what is lacking in your faith?(F)

Prayer for the Church

11 Now may our God and Father(G) himself, and our Lord Jesus,(H) direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love(I) for one another(J) and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless(K) in holiness(L) before our God and Father at the coming(M) of our Lord(N) Jesus with all his saints. Amen.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:13 Other mss omit Amen.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

But Timothy(A) has just now come to us from you(B) and has brought good news about your faith and love.(C) 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.(D) Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm(E) in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you(F) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?(G) 10 Night and day we pray(H) most earnestly that we may see you again(I) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father(J) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other(K) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless(L) and holy in the presence of our God and Father(M) when our Lord Jesus comes(N) with all his holy ones.(O)

Read full chapter