²⁵ But I thought it necessary to send to you ^(A)Epaphroditus, my brother and ^(B)fellow worker and ^(C)fellow soldier, who is also your ^[a](D)messenger and ^(E)minister to my need, ²⁶ because he was longing ^[b]for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. ^29 (F)Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and ^(G)hold people like him in high regard, ³⁰ because he came close to death ^[c](H)for the work of Christ, risking his life to ^(I)compensate ^[d]for your absence in your service to me.