Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(A) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^(B)

⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(A) and delight to see how disciplined^(B) you are and how firm^(C) your faith in Christ^(D) is.

³ For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit.^(A) As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus^(B) on the one who has been doing this.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ 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)

¹³ I do not want you to be unaware,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a](B) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)^(C) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁰ Night and day we pray^(A) most earnestly that we may see you again^(B) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(C) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

²³ But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,^(A)

Psalm 63^[a]

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(A) and be with Christ,^(B) which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.