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

4 ¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

⁹ For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel^[a] of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers,^(A)

⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

⁸ So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

¹² I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.^[a]

God’s Election of Israel

9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit^(A)—

2 For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you and for those in Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.

¹⁹ My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^(A)

²⁰ In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!