Philippians 2:17-30

17But even if I am being 1poured out as a drink offering upon 2the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

19But I hope, 3in the Lord Jesus, to 4send 5Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20For I have no one else 6of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21For they all 7seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22But you know 8of his proven character, that 9he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel 10like a child serving his father. 2311Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24and 12I trust in the Lord that I myself will also be coming shortly. 25But I thought it necessary to send to you 13Epaphroditus, my brother and 14fellow worker and 15fellow soldier, who is also your 1617messenger and 18minister to my need, 26because he was longing 19for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 2920Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and 21hold people like him in high regard, 30because he came close to death 2223for the work of Christ, risking his life to 24compensate 25for your absence in your service to me.