21 For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child `serveth' a father, `so' he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:
24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.
25 But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;
26 Since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye 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 nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.