25 I feel that I must send Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier—back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need.
26 He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.
27 Indeed, he was so sick that he almost died. But God had mercy not only on him but also on me and kept me from having one sorrow on top of another.
28 So I’m especially eager to send him to you. In this way you will have the joy of seeing him again and I will feel relieved.
29 Give him a joyful Christian welcome. Make sure you honor people like Epaphroditus highly.
30 He risked his life and almost died for the work of Christ in order to make up for the help you couldn’t give me.