But I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love which His Spirit inspires, to help me by wrestling in prayer to God on my behalf,

For God is my witness how I yearn over all of you with tender Christian affection.

I send him because he is longing to see you all and is distressed at your having heard of his illness.

But we, brethren, having been for a short time separated from you in bodily presence, though not in heart, endeavoured all the more earnestly, with intense longing, to see you face to face.

So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in Athens alone;

Being

serving the Lord in all humility, and with tears, and amid trials which came upon me through the plotting of the Jews--

For the Lamb who is in front of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them to watersprings of Life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more; nor sorrow, nor wail of woe, nor pain; for the first things have passed away."

Filled

So you also now have sorrow; but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be glad, and your gladness no one will take away from you.

And we write these things in order that our joy may be made complete.

General references

Make an effort to come to me speedily.