Timothy Commended

¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send ^(A)Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your ^[a]state. ²⁰ For I have no one ^(B)like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know his proven character, ^(C)that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Epaphroditus Praised

²⁵ Yet I considered it necessary to send to you ^(D)Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and ^(E)fellow soldier, ^(F)but your messenger and ^(G)the one who ministered to my need; ^26 (H)since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came close to death, ^[b]not regarding his life, ^(I)to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.