Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back to all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord. Let’s visit the believers there and see how they are doing.”
But Paul and Barnabas found out about their plan and escaped north to the region of Lycaonia. There they continued to preach the good news in the cities of Lystra and Derbe and in the area around them.
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue, as they usually did. They spoke there with great power, and large numbers of Jews and Greeks became believers.
But just now Timothy has come to us from you, and he has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us and that you long to see us just as we long to see you.
But no matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you, I’ll know that you’re standing firm together in the one Spirit and that you’re fighting together as a unit to defend the good news.