²⁰ Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. ^(A)Refresh my heart in Christ.

⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that ^(A)my children are walking in the truth.

⁷ For I have derived much joy and ^(A)comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints ^(B)have been refreshed through you.

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

¹⁷ But ^(A)if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet ^(B)closes his heart against him, ^(C)how does God's love abide in him?

¹⁷ Obey ^(A)your leaders and submit to them, ^(B)for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to ^(C)give an account. ^(D)Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

⁷ for this reason, brothers,^[a] in all our distress and affliction ^(A)we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you ^(B)are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For ^(C)what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

¹⁹ For what is our hope or ^(A)joy or crown of boasting ^(B)before our Lord Jesus at his ^(C)coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

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.

Christ's Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from ^(A)love, any ^(B)participation in the Spirit, any ^(C)affection and sympathy, ^2 (D)complete my joy by being ^(E)of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.