²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need, ²⁶ since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. ²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor, ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.