19. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20. For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state.
21. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22. But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel.
23. Him therefore I hope to send presently, as soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25. Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick.
27. For indeed he was sick near unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28. I sent him therefore the more eagerly, 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 gladness; and hold such in honor:
30. Because for the work of Christ he was near unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.