¹² or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

⁷ For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? ¹⁰ Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.^(A)

³ For I was overjoyed when some brothers and sisters arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, how you walk in the truth.^{(A) 4} I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.^(B)

Salutation

1 Simeon^[a] Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith as equally honorable as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

⁴ To Titus, my true child^[a] in the faith we share:

Grace^[b] and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.^(A)

¹³ In this we have found consolation.

In addition to our own consolation, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his mind has been set at rest by all of you.^(A)

⁴ I am being completely frank with you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction.^(A)

⁵ For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—disputes without and fears within.^{(B) 6} But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus,^{(C) 7} and not only by his arrival but also by the consolation with which he was consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

Paul’s Desire to Visit the Thessalonians Again

¹⁷ As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.^{(A) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way.^{(B) 19} For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?^{(C) 20} Yes, you are our glory and joy!

2 ¹ So I made up my mind not to make another visit that causes you grief.^{(A) 2} For if I cause you grief, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have grieved? ³ And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer grief from those who should have made me rejoice, for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you.^(B)

³² so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.^(A)