21. For all seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ.
22. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child a father, he has served with me in the work of the glad tidings.
23. Him therefore I hope to send immediately, as soon as I shall see how it goes with me:
24. but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall soon come;
25. but I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-workman and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need,
26. since he had a longing desire after you all, and was distressed because ye had heard that he was sick;
27. for he was also sick close to death, but God had mercy on him, and not indeed on him alone, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28. I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him ye might again rejoice, and that I might be the less sorrowful.
29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honour;
30. because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me.