⁴ I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

Paul’s Final Words

⁹ Timothy, please come as soon as you can.

²¹ Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.^[a]

Timothy’s Good Report about the Church

¹⁷ Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. ¹⁸ We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. ¹⁹ After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! ²⁰ Yes, you are our pride and joy.

3 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,

⁸ God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

⁴ We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.^[a]

²⁶ I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill.

³⁰ Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. ³¹ Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation^[a] I am taking to Jerusalem. ³² Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.