26. For he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was ill.
27. He 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.
28. I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety.
29. Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem,
30. because 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.