²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker^(A) and fellow soldier,^(B) who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.^{(C) 26} For he longs for all of you^(D) 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,^(E) 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,^{(F) 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.^(G)