16. as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
17. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.
18. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.
19. I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you.
20. For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you.
21. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22. But you know his worth, how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel.
23. He it is, then, whom I hope to send as soon as I see how things go with me,
24. but I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
25. With regard to Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.
26. For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill.
27. He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28. I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety.