⁴ greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,

The Abandoned Apostle

⁹ Be diligent to come to me quickly;

²¹ Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Longing to See Them

¹⁷ But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time ^(A)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. ¹⁸ Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but ^(B)Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For ^(C)what is our hope, or joy, or ^(D)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the ^(E)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ ^(F)at His coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

Concern for Their Faith

3 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

^4 (A)And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; ^(B)there shall be no more death, ^(C)nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

¹⁷ for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne ^(A)will shepherd them and lead them to ^[a]living fountains of waters. ^(B)And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

⁴ And these things we write to you ^(A)that ^[a]your joy may be full.

^26 (A)since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.

³⁰ Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and ^(A)through the love of the Spirit, ^(B)that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, ^31 (C)that I may be delivered from those in Judea who ^[a]do not believe, and that ^(D)my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, ^32 (E)that I may come to you with joy ^(F)by the will of God, and may ^(G)be refreshed together with you.