Now I make request to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you will be working together with me in your prayers to God for me;

For God is my witness, how my love goes out to you all in the loving mercies of Christ Jesus.

Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:

But we, my brothers, being away from you for a short time, in body but not in heart, had all the more desire to see your face;

At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,

Being

Doing the Lord's work without pride, through all the sorrow and troubles which came on me because of the evil designs of the Jews:

For the Lamb who is on the high seat will be their keeper and their guide to fountains of living water: and God will make glad their eyes for ever.

And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end.

Filled

To give them a fair head-dress in place of dust, the oil of joy in place of the clothing of grief, praise in place of sorrow; so that they may be named trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and so that he may have glory.

Then the virgin will have joy in the dance, and the young men and the old will be glad: for I will have their weeping turned into joy, I will give them comfort and make them glad after their sorrow.

So you have sorrow now: but I will see you again, and your hearts will be glad, and no one will take away your joy.

And we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be made complete.

General references

Do your best to come to me before long: