²⁵ And I guessed it needful to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and even-worker, and mine even-knight, but your apostle, and the minister of my need.

²⁶ For he desired you all, and he was sorrowful, therefore that ye heard that he was sick.

²⁷ For he was sick [till] to the death, but God had mercy on him; and not only on him, but also on me, lest I had heaviness on heaviness [lest I had heaviness upon heaviness].

²⁸ Therefore more hastily I sent him, that when ye have seen him, ye have joy again, and I be without heaviness.

²⁹ Therefore receive ye him with all joy in the Lord, and have ye such with all honour.

³⁰ For the work of Christ he went to death, giving his life, that he should fulfill that that failed of you with my service. [For why for the work of Christ unto the death he went, giving his life, that he should fulfill that that failed to you with my service.]