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

How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy

After all, it is you---you, no less than others!---who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes.

Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the whole world is hearing about your faith.

God is my witness that what I say is true---the God whom I serve with all my heart by preaching the Good News about his Son. God knows that I remember you

But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us with the coming of Titus.

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.

For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people,

I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I remember you in my prayers

You learned of God's grace from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is Christ's faithful worker on our behalf.

He has told us of the love that the Spirit has given you.

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.

because now we really live if you stand firm in your life in union with the Lord.

because the truth remains in us and will be with us forever.

How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

I keep your law in my heart, so that I will not sin against you.