But thanksbe to Godwho putsthe sameearnestnesson your behalfin the heartof Titus.
When Hezekiahand the rulerscameand sawthe heaps,they blessedthe LORDand His peopleIsrael.
Blessedbe the LORD,the Godof our fathers,whohas put[such a thing] as thisin the king'sheart,to adornthe houseof the LORDwhichis in Jerusalem,
And I arosein the night,I and a fewmenwith me. I did not tellanyonewhatmy Godwas puttinginto my mindto dofor Jerusalemand therewas noanimalwith me exceptthe animalon whichI was riding.
"Behold,daysare coming,"declaresthe LORD,"when I will makea newcovenantwith the houseof Israeland with the houseof Judah,
"I will makean everlastingcovenantwith them that I will not turnawayfrom them, to dothem good;and I will putthe fearof Me in their heartsso that they will not turnawayfrom Me.
SoalthoughI wroteto you, [it was] not for the sakeof the offendernorfor the sakeof the one offended,but that your earnestnesson our behalfmight be made knownto you in the sightof God.
and not onlyby his coming,but alsoby the comfortwith whichhe was comfortedin you, as he reportedto us your longing,your mourning,your zealfor me; sothat I rejoicedeven more.
As for Titus,[he is] my partnerand fellow workeramongyou; as for our brethren,[they are] messengersof the churches,a gloryto Christ.
Sowe urgedTitusthat as he had previously made a beginning,sohe would alsocompletein you thisgracious workas well.
For I haveno one[else] of kindred spiritwhowill genuinelybe concernedfor your welfare.
Whateveryou doin wordordeed,[do] allin the nameof the LordJesus,giving thanksthroughHim to Godthe Father.
"For Godhas putit in their heartsto executeHis purposeby havinga commonpurpose,and by givingtheir kingdomto the beast,untilthe wordsof Godwill be fulfilled.
