¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(A) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you^(B) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^{(C) 10} Night and day we pray^(D) most earnestly that we may see you again^(E) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

³ It gave me great joy when some believers^(A) came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.^{(B) 4} I have no greater joy than to hear that my children^(C) are walking in the truth.^(D)

1 Simon Peter, a servant^(A) and apostle of Jesus Christ,^(B)

To those who through the righteousness^(C) of our God and Savior Jesus Christ^(D) have received a faith as precious as ours:

⁴ To Titus,^(A) my true son^(B) in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.^(C)

¹³ By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus^(A) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.^(A) I am greatly encouraged;^(B) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.^(C)

⁵ For when we came into Macedonia,^(D) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn^(E)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.^{(F) 6} But God, who comforts the downcast,^(G) comforted us by the coming of Titus,^{(H) 7} and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(A) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^{(B) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(C) blocked our way.^{(D) 19} For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^(E) in which we will glory^(F) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^(G) Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory^(H) and joy.

2 ¹ So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.^{(A) 2} For if I grieve you,^(B) who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? ³ I wrote as I did,^(C) so that when I came I would not be distressed^(D) by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence^(E) in all of you, that you would all share my joy.