15. Then you will be innocent and without anything wrong in you. You will be God’s children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you. Among them you shine like stars in the dark world.
16. You offer to them the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran in the race and won.
17. Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God. Perhaps I will have to offer my own blood with your sacrifice. But if that happens, I will be happy and full of joy with all of you.
18. You also should be happy and full of joy with me.
19. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. I will be happy to learn how you are.
20. I have no other person like Timothy. He truly cares for you.
21. Other people are interested only in their own lives. They are not interested in the work of Christ Jesus.