Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.