25 I think I ought to send my dear friend Epaphroditus back to you. He is a follower and a worker and a soldier of the Lord, just as I am. You sent him to look after me,
26 but now he is eager to see you. He is worried, because you heard he was sick.
27 In fact, he was very sick and almost died. But God was kind to him, and also to me, and he kept me from being burdened down with sorrow.
28 Now I am more eager than ever to send Epaphroditus back again. You will be glad to see him, and I won't have to worry any longer.
29 Be sure to give him a cheerful welcome, just as people who serve the Lord deserve.
30 He almost died working for Christ, and he risked his own life to do for me what you could not.