^23 [a]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a ^(A)desire to depart and be with Christ, which is ^(B)far better.

⁸ We are confident, yes, ^(A)well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven saying ^[a]to me, “Write: ^(A)‘Blessed are the dead ^(B)who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, ^(C)“that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow ^(D)them.”

⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, ^(A)receive my spirit.”

⁴³ And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in ^(A)Paradise.”

¹⁴ And I said to him, ^[a]“Sir, you know.”

So he said to me, ^(A)“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and ^(B)washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will ^(C)dwell among them. ^16 (D)They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; ^(E)the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; ¹⁷ for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne ^(F)will shepherd them and lead them to ^[b]living fountains of waters. ^(G)And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Paul’s Valedictory

⁶ For ^(A)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(B)my departure is at hand.

^24 (A)“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; ^(B)for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.