Epaphroditus Praised

²⁵ Yet I considered it necessary to send to you ^(A)Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and ^(B)fellow soldier, ^(C)but your messenger and ^(D)the one who ministered to my need; ^26 (E)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, ^[a]not regarding his life, ^(F)to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.