16. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
17. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
18. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
19. If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.
20. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.
21. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.
22. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
23. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here.
24. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
25. Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.