And so, my dear friends, as you’ve always obeyed God—not just while I was with you, but even more now that I’m not with you— continue to work out your own salvation. Do it with fear and trembling.
I wrote the way I did so that when I came, you wouldn’t make me sad when you’re supposed to make me happy. I was sure that you would all want the same things I wanted.
I wrote to you in great distress, with a heavy heart, and with my eyes full of tears. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just wanted you to know how deeply I love you.