^{25 Ref} And I thought `it' necessary Epaphroditus -- my brother, and fellow-workman, and fellow-soldier, and your apostle and servant to my need -- to send unto you,

^{26 Ref} seeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because ye heard that he ailed,

^{27 Ref} for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have.

^{28 Ref} The more eagerly, therefore, I did send him, that having seen him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful;

^{29 Ref} receive him, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy, and hold such in honour,

^{30 Ref} because on account of the work of the Christ he drew near to death, having hazarded the life that he might fill up your deficiency of service unto me.