²⁵ I have thought it necessary to send to you ^(A)Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and ^(B)fellow soldier, and your messenger and ^(C)minister to my need, ²⁶ for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹ So ^(D)receive him in the Lord with all joy, and ^(E)honor such men, ³⁰ for he nearly died^{[a] (F)}for the work of Christ, risking his life ^(G)to complete what was lacking in your service to me.