Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc) and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my dear friends! (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc)

So then, my dear friends (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc), just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more now in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Now in order that you also may know my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, a dear (agapētos | ἀγαπητός | nom sg masc) brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything.

Therefore be imitators of God as his dear (agapēta | ἀγαπητά | nom pl neut) children,

Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves to you? We are speaking before God as those in Christ; and all that we do, dear friends (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc), is for your upbuilding.

Since then we have these promises, dear friends (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc), let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

So then, my dear (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc) brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Therefore, my dear friends (agapētoi | ἀγαπητοί | voc pl masc), flee from the worship of idols.

That is why I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved (agapēton | ἀγαπητόν | nom sg neut) and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my dear (agapēta | ἀγαπητά | acc pl neut) children.