¹³ As the cold of snow in the time of grain-cutting, so is a true servant to those who send him; for he gives new life to the soul of his master.

¹⁷ A man taking false news is a cause of trouble, but he who gives news rightly makes things well.

²⁵ As cold water to a tired soul, so is good news from a far country.

⁶ He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.

²⁵ But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;

²⁶ Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:

²⁷ For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief.

²⁸ I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow.

²⁹ So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:

³⁰ Because for the work of Christ he was near to death, putting his life in danger to make your care for me complete.