¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(A) or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless^(B) and pure, “children of God^(C) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a](D) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(E) that I did not run^(F) or labor in vain.^{(G) 17} But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(H) on the sacrifice^(I) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^{(J) 18} So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy^(K) to you soon,^(L) that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him,^(M) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(N) not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(O) he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.^{(P) 24} And I am confident^(Q) in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker^(R) and fellow soldier,^(S) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.^{(T) 26} For he longs for all of you^(U) and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him,^(V) so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,^{(W) 30} because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.^(X)