(Philippians 2:19-30)
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,
that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I
have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know
that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father
he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I
hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with
me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will
come soon.
25But
I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my
brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your
messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For
he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was
ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had
mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me
sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager
to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I
may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with
great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost
died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the
help you could not give me.
