Epaphroditus. 25With regard to Epaphroditus,^* my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.^s 26For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem,^t 30because for the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform.