²⁵ I think it is also necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier; and he is your representative who serves my needs. ²⁶ He misses you all, and he was upset because you heard he was sick. ²⁷ In fact, he was so sick that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him—and not just on him but also on me, because his death would have caused me great sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore, I am sending him immediately so that when you see him again you can be glad and I won’t worry. ²⁹ So welcome him in the Lord with great joy and show great respect for people like him. ³⁰ He risked his life and almost died for the work of Christ, and he did this to make up for the help you couldn’t give me.