For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?