¹³ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to those who send him; For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

²⁵ Like cold water to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and minister to 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 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.