But now that I have finished my work in these regions and since I have been wanting for so many years to come to see you,

I hope to do so now. I would like to see you on my way to Spain, and be helped by you to go there, after I have enjoyed visiting you for a while.

every time I pray. I ask that God in his good will may at last make it possible for me to visit you now.

What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time, you by my faith and I by yours.

When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to Julius, an officer in the Roman army regiment called "The Emperor's Regiment."

But the ship hit a sandbank and went aground; the front part of the ship got stuck and could not move, while the back part was being broken to pieces by the violence of the waves.

But the army officer wanted to save Paul, so he stopped them from doing this. Instead, he ordered everyone who could swim to jump overboard first and swim ashore;

The believers in Rome heard about us and came as far as the towns of Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was greatly encouraged.

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him.

For two years Paul lived in a place he rented for himself, and there he welcomed all who came to see him.

He preached about the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom.

I want you to know, my friends, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel.

And my being in prison has given most of the believers more confidence in the Lord, so that they grow bolder all the time to preach the message fearlessly.

Instead, he told them as he left, "If it is the will of God, I will come back to you." And so he sailed from Ephesus.

If the Lord is willing, however, I will come to you soon, and then I will find out for myself the power which these proud people have, and not just what they say.

What you should say is this: "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that."

A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.

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

That is why we were encouraged. Not only were we encouraged; how happy Titus made us with his happiness over the way in which all of you helped to cheer him up!

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.

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

May the Lord show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he cheered me up many times. He was not ashamed that I am in prison,

Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.

So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!