After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth.

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul gave his whole time to preaching the message, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

Finally hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.

How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, "Your God is king!"

Even after we arrived in Macedonia, we did not have any rest. There were troubles everywhere, quarrels with others, fears in our hearts.

It was not only his coming that cheered us, but also his report of how you encouraged him. He told us how much you want to see me, how sorry you are, how ready you are to defend me; and so I am even happier now.

Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love.

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people.

Our friends, we must thank God at all times for you. It is right for us to do so, because your faith is growing so much and the love each of you has for the others is becoming greater.

The purpose of this order is to arouse the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith.

For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.

What he commands is that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as Christ commanded us.

For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm.

Surely you remember, our friends, how we worked and toiled! We worked day and night so that we would not be any trouble to you as we preached to you the Good News from God.

I praise you because you always remember me and follow the teachings that I have handed on to you.

With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul.Do not forget my chains! May God's grace be with you.

I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did. I thank him as I remember you always in my prayers night and day.

Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.

Remember your former leaders, who spoke God's message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith.

Now we can give thanks to our God for you. We thank him for the joy we have in his presence because of you.

Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed in your faith.

As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while---not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body---how we missed you and how hard we tried to see you again!

God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.