For I do yearn to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift for your strengthening ??12 or, in other words, that I may be encouraged by meeting you, I by your faith and you by mine.

Brothers, I beg of you, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit inspires, rally round me by praying to God for me;

(God is my witness that I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself!)

for he has been yearning for you all. He has been greatly concerned because you heard he was ill.

Brothers, when we were bereft of you for a little while (out of sight, not out of mind), we were the more eager to see you. We had a keen longing for you.

So, unable to bear it any longer, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens all alone;

Being

how I served the Lord in all humility, with many a tear and many a trial which I encountered owing to the plots of the Jews,

for the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, guiding them to fountains of living water; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more ??no more wailing or crying or pain, for the first things have passed away."

Filled

So with you. Just now you are in sorrow, but I shall see you again and your heart will rejoice ??with a joy that no one can take from you.

We are writing this to you that our own joy may be complete.

General references

Do your best to come soon to me,