Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes!

He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.

But thanks be to God! For in union with Christ we are always led by God as prisoners in Christ's victory procession. God uses us to make the knowledge about Christ spread everywhere like a sweet fragrance.

A day is coming when people will sing, "I praise you, LORD! You were angry with me, but now you comfort me and are angry no longer.

The LORD says, "I am the one who strengthens you. Why should you fear mortals, who are no more enduring than grass?

"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.

"I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn.

The Sovereign LORD has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.

He has sent me to proclaim That the time has come When the LORD will save his people And defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,

Then the young women will dance and be happy, and men, young and old, will rejoice. I will comfort them and turn their mourning into joy, their sorrow into gladness.

"Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever.

And may God, the source of patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus,

Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope,

encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.

But I was deeply worried, because I could not find our brother Titus. So I said good-bye to the people there and went on to Macedonia.

I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence

and have cheered me up, just as they cheered you up. Such men as these deserve notice.

while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and help your faith,

Now Timothy has come back, and he has brought us the welcome news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always think well of us and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you.

So, in all our trouble and suffering we have been encouraged about you, friends. It was your faith that encouraged us,

My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health---as I know you are well in spirit.

Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth.