Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf.

For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill.

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.

Being

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me because of the plots of the Jews.

because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more -- or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist."

Filled

Those who shed tears as they plant will shout for joy when they reap the harvest.

to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement. They will be called oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.

The Lord says, "At that time young women will dance and be glad. Young men and old men will rejoice. I will turn their grief into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy in place of their sorrow.

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Thus we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

General references

Make every effort to come to me soon.