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.
26. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill.
27. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.