13. God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to be in keeping with his good purpose.
14. Do everything without finding fault or arguing.
15. Then you will be pure and without blame. You will be children of God without fault in a sinful and evil world. Among the people of the world you shine like stars in the heavens.
16. You shine as you hold out to them the word of life. So I can brag about you on the day Christ returns. I can be happy that I didn't run or work for nothing.
17. But my life might even be poured out like a drink offering on your sacrifices. I'm talking about the way you serve because you believe. Even so, I am glad. I am joyful with all of you.
18. So you too should be glad and joyful with me.
19. I hope to send Timothy to you soon if the Lord Jesus allows it. Then I will be cheered up when I receive news about you.
20. I have no one else like Timothy. He truly cares about how you are doing.
21. All the others are looking out for their own interests. They are not looking out for the interests of Jesus Christ.
22. But you know that Timothy has proved himself. He has served with me like a son with his father in spreading the good news.
23. So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
24. And I'm sure I myself will come soon if the Lord allows it.
25. But I think it's necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you. He is my brother in the Lord. He is a worker and a soldier of Christ together with me. He is also your messenger. You sent him to take care of my needs.
26. He longs for all of you. He is troubled because you heard he was sick.