¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(A) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(B) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 20} and teaching^(D) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(E) always, to the very end of the age.”^(F)

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[a] loved by God,^(A) that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel^(B) came to you not simply with words but also with power,^(C) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know^(D) how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us^(E) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(F) with the joy^(G) given by the Holy Spirit.^(H)

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) 7} Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(E) in the Lord. ⁹ 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)