⁸ For ^(A)God is my witness, ^(B)how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

4 Therefore, my brothers,^[a] whom I love and ^(A)long for, ^(B)my joy and ^(C)crown, ^(D)stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

^9 (A)For God is my witness, ^(B)whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, ^(C)that without ceasing I mention you

^4 (A)As I remember your tears, ^(B)I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.

⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God ^(A)but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

¹² I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

God's Sovereign Choice

9 ^(A)I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—

2 For I want you to know ^(A)how great a ^(B)struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,

^19 (A)my little children, ^(B)for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ ^(C)is formed in you!

²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, ^(A)before God, I do not lie!)