¹⁹ “I know your works: your love, faith, service, and endurance. I know that your latest works are greater than the first.

⁵ But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.^(A)

⁷ and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.

Thanksgiving

³ We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.^(A)

² He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes^[a] to make it bear more fruit.

² “I know your works, your toil and your endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them to be false.^{(A) 3} I also know that you are enduring and bearing up for the sake of my name and that you have not grown weary.^{(B) 4} But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.^[a]

⁸ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.^(A)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you.^(A)

¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.