16. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
17. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
18. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
19. If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.
20. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.
21. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.