Paul's Longing to See Them Again

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, ^(A)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire ^(B)to see you face to face,

⁵ For ^(A)though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your ^(B)good order and ^(C)the firmness of your faith in Christ.

³ For though ^(A)absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

⁶ But ^(A)now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of ^(B)your faith and love and reported ^(C)that you always remember us kindly and ^(D)long to see us, as we long to see you—

¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly ^(A)night and day ^(B)that we may see you face to face and ^(C)supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may ^(D)our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, ^(E)direct our way to you,

¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,^[a] that ^(A)I have often intended to come to you (but ^(B)thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some ^(C)harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

²³ But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and ^(A)since I have longed for many years to come to you,

My Soul Thirsts for You

A Psalm of David, ^(A)when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ^23 (A)I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is ^(B)to depart and ^(C)be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ^25 (D)Convinced of this, ^(E)I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your ^(F)progress and ^(G)joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me ^(H)you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.