¹ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

¹⁷ Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

¹⁸ For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

²⁰ For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

²³ Him therefore I hope to send presently, so 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 supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

²⁶ For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

²⁷ For indeed he was sick nigh 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 carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

³⁰ Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

---

¹ If there be therefore ^G3767 any ^G1536 consolation ^G3874 in ^G1722 Christ, ^G5547 if any ^G1536 comfort ^G3890 of love, ^G26 if any ^G1536 fellowship ^G2842 of the Spirit, ^G4151 if any ^G1536 bowels ^G4698 and ^G2532 mercies, ^G3628

² Fulfil ye ^G4137 my ^G3450 joy, ^G5479 that ^G2443 ye be likeminded, ^{G846 G5426} having ^G2192 the same ^G846 love, ^G26 being of one accord, ^G4861 of one ^G1520 mind. ^G5426

³ Let nothing ^G3367 be done through ^G2596 strife ^G2052 or ^G2228 vainglory; ^G2754 but ^G235 in lowliness of mind ^G5012 let ^G2233 each ^G240 esteem ^G2233 other ^G240 better than ^G5242 themselves. ^G1438

⁴ Look ^G4648 not ^G3361 every man ^G1538 on his own things, ^G1438 but ^G235 every man ^G1538 also ^G2532 on the things ^G3588 of others. ^G2087

^{5 G1063} Let ^G5426 this ^G5124 mind be ^G5426 in ^G1722 you, ^G5213 which ^G3739 was also ^G2532 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus: ^G2424

⁶ Who, ^G3739 being ^G5225 in ^G1722 the form ^G3444 of God, ^G2316 thought it ^G2233 not ^G3756 robbery ^G725 to be ^G1511 equal ^G2470 with God: ^G2316

⁷ But ^G235 made ^G2758 himself ^G1438 of no reputation, ^G2758 and took upon him ^G2983 the form ^G3444 of a servant, ^G1401 and was made ^G1096 in ^G1722 the likeness ^G3667 of men: ^G444

⁸ And ^G2532 being found ^G2147 in fashion ^G4976 as ^G5613 a man, ^G444 he humbled ^G5013 himself, ^G1438 and became ^G1096 obedient ^G5255 unto ^G3360 death, ^G2288 even ^G1161 the death ^G2288 of the cross. ^G4716

⁹ Wherefore ^G1352 God ^G2316 also ^G2532 hath highly exalted ^G5251 him, ^G846 and ^G2532 given ^G5483 him ^G846 a name ^G3686 which ^G3588 is above ^G5228 every ^G3956 name: ^G3686

¹⁰ That ^G2443 at ^G1722 the name ^G3686 of Jesus ^G2424 every ^G3956 knee ^G1119 should bow, ^G2578 of things in heaven, ^G2032 and ^G2532 things in earth, ^G1919 and ^G2532 things under the earth; ^G2709

¹¹ And ^G2532 that every ^G3956 tongue ^G1100 should confess ^G1843 that ^G3754 Jesus ^G2424 Christ ^G5547 is Lord, ^G2962 to ^G1519 the glory ^G1391 of God ^G2316 the Father. ^G3962

¹² Wherefore, ^G5620 my ^G3450 beloved, ^G27 as ^G2531 ye have ^G5219 always ^G3842 obeyed, ^G5219 not ^G3361 as ^G5613 in ^G1722 my ^G3450 presence ^G3952 only, ^G3440 but ^G235 now ^G3568 much ^G4183 more ^G3123 in ^G1722 my ^G3450 absence, ^G666 work out ^G2716 your own ^G1438 salvation ^G4991 with ^G3326 fear ^G5401 and ^G2532 trembling. ^G5156

¹³ For ^G1063 it is ^G2076 God ^G2316 which ^G3588 worketh ^G1754 in ^G1722 you ^G5213 both ^G2532 to will ^G2309 and ^G2532 to do ^G1754 of ^G5228 his good pleasure. ^G2107

¹⁴ Do ^G4160 all things ^G3956 without ^G5565 murmurings ^G1112 and ^G2532 disputings: ^G1261

¹⁵ That ^G2443 ye may be ^G1096 blameless ^G273 and ^G2532 harmless, ^G185 the sons ^G5043 of God, ^G2316 without rebuke, ^G298 in ^G1722 the midst ^G3319 of a crooked ^G4646 and ^G2532 perverse ^G1294 nation, ^G1074 among ^G1722 whom ^G3739 ye shine ^G5316 as ^G5613 lights ^G5458 in ^G1722 the world; ^G2889

¹⁶ Holding forth ^G1907 the word ^G3056 of life; ^G2222 that ^G1519 I ^G1698 may rejoice ^G2745 in ^G1519 the day ^G2250 of Christ, ^G5547 that ^G3754 I have ^G5143 not ^G3756 run ^G5143 in ^G1519 vain, ^G2756 neither ^G3761 laboured ^G2872 in ^G1519 vain. ^G2756

¹⁷ Yea, ^G235 and if ^G1499 I be offered ^G4689 upon ^G1909 the sacrifice ^G2378 and ^G2532 service ^G3009 of your ^G5216 faith, ^G4102 I joy, ^G5463 and ^G2532 rejoice with ^G4796 you ^G5213 all. ^G3956

¹⁸ For ^G1161 the same cause ^G846 also ^G2532 do ^G5463 ye ^G5210 joy, ^G5463 and ^G2532 rejoice with ^G4796 me. ^G3427

¹⁹ But ^G1161 I trust ^G1679 in ^G1722 the Lord ^G2962 Jesus ^G2424 to send ^G3992 Timotheus ^G5095 shortly ^G5030 unto you, ^G5213 that ^G2443 I also ^G2504 may be of good comfort, ^G2174 when I know ^G1097 your ^G5216 state. ^G4012

²⁰ For ^G1063 I have ^G2192 no man ^G3762 likeminded, ^G2473 who ^G3748 will naturally ^G1104 care ^G3309 for your ^G5216 state. ^G4012

²¹ For ^G1063 all ^G3956 seek ^G2212 their own, ^G1438 not ^G3756 the things which are ^G3588 Jesus ^G2424 Christ's. ^G5547

²² But ^G1161 ye know ^G1097 the proof ^G1382 of him, ^G846 that, ^G3754 as ^G5613 a son ^G5043 with the father, ^G3962 he hath served ^G1398 with ^G4862 me ^G1698 in ^G1519 the gospel. ^G2098

²³ Him ^{G3303 G5126} therefore ^G3767 I hope ^G1679 to send ^G3992 presently, ^G1824 so soon as ^G5613 I ^G302 shall see ^G542 how ^G4012 it will go with me. ^G1691

²⁴ But ^G1161 I trust ^G3982 in ^G1722 the Lord ^G2962 that ^G3754 I ^G2064 also ^G2532 myself ^G846 shall come ^G2064 shortly. ^G5030

²⁵ Yet ^G1161 I supposed ^G2233 it necessary ^G316 to send ^G3992 to ^G4314 you ^G5209 Epaphroditus, ^G1891 my ^G3450 brother, ^G80 and ^G2532 companion in labour, ^G4904 and ^G2532 fellowsoldier, ^G4961 but ^G1161 your ^G5216 messenger, ^G652 and ^G2532 he that ministered ^G3011 to my ^G3450 wants. ^G5532

²⁶ For ^G1894 he ^G2258 longed after ^G1971 you ^G5209 all, ^G3956 and ^G2532 was full of heaviness, ^G85 because ^G1360 that ye had heard ^G191 that ^G3754 he had been sick. ^G770

²⁷ For ^G1063 indeed ^G2532 he was sick ^G770 nigh ^G3897 unto death: ^G2288 but ^G235 God ^G2316 had mercy ^G1653 on him; ^G846 and ^G1161 not ^G3756 on him ^G846 only, ^G3440 but ^G235 on me ^G1691 also, ^G2532 lest ^G3363 I should have ^G2192 sorrow ^G3077 upon ^G1909 sorrow. ^G3077

²⁸ I sent ^G3992 him ^G846 therefore ^G3767 the more carefully, ^G4708 that, ^G2443 when ye see ^G1492 him ^G846 again, ^G3825 ye may rejoice, ^G5463 and that I ^G2504 may be ^G5600 the less sorrowful. ^G253

²⁹ Receive ^G4327 him ^G846 therefore ^G3767 in ^G1722 the Lord ^G2962 with ^G3326 all ^G3956 gladness; ^G5479 and ^G2532 hold ^G2192 such ^G5108 in reputation: ^G1784

³⁰ Because ^G3754 for ^G1223 the work ^G2041 of Christ ^G5547 he was nigh ^G1448 unto ^G3360 death, ^G2288 not regarding ^G3851 his life, ^G5590 to ^G2443 supply ^G378 your ^G5216 lack ^G5303 of service ^G3009 toward ^G4314 me. ^G3165

---

¹ If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,

² make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

³ `doing' nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

⁴ not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

⁵ Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,

⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;

⁸ and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient `even' unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

⁹ Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;

¹⁰ that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of `things' in heaven and `things' on earth and `things' under the earth,

¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

¹³ for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and questionings:

¹⁵ that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,

¹⁶ holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

¹⁷ Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:

¹⁸ and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me.

¹⁹ But I hope 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 likeminded, who will care truly for your state.

²¹ For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child `serveth' a father, `so' he served with me in furtherance of the gospel.

²³ Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:

²⁴ but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly.

²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need;

²⁶ since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick:

²⁷ for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor:

³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

---

¹ If, then, any exhortation `is' in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

² fulfil ye my joy, that ye may mind the same thing -- having the same love -- of one soul -- minding the one thing,

³ nothing in rivalry or vain-glory, but in humility of mind one another counting more excellent than yourselves --

⁴ each not to your own look ye, but each also to the things of others.

⁵ For, let this mind be in you that `is' also in Christ Jesus,

⁶ who, being in the form of God, thought `it' not robbery to be equal to God,

⁷ but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made,

⁸ and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient unto death -- death even of a cross,

⁹ wherefore, also, God did highly exalt him, and gave to him a name that `is' above every name,

¹⁰ that in the name of Jesus every knee may bow -- of heavenlies, and earthlies, and what are under the earth --

¹¹ and every tongue may confess that Jesus Christ `is' Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² So that, my beloved, as ye always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling your own salvation work out,

¹³ for God it is who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ All things do without murmurings and reasonings,

¹⁵ that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God, unblemished in the midst of a generation crooked and perverse, among whom ye do appear as luminaries in the world,

¹⁶ the word of life holding forth, for rejoicing to me in regard to a day of Christ, that not in vain did I run, nor in vain did I labour;

¹⁷ but if also I am poured forth upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and joy with you all,

¹⁸ because of this do ye also rejoice and joy with me.

¹⁹ And I hope, in the Lord Jesus, Timotheus to send quickly to you, that I also may be of good spirit, having known the things concerning you,

²⁰ for I have no one like-minded, who sincerely for the things concerning you will care,

²¹ for the whole seek their own things, not the things of the Christ Jesus,

²² and the proof of him ye know, that as a child `serveth' a father, with me he did serve in regard to the good news;

²³ him, indeed, therefore, I hope to send, when I may see through the things concerning me -- immediately;

²⁴ and I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall quickly come.

²⁵ And I thought `it' necessary Epaphroditus -- my brother, and fellow-workman, and fellow-soldier, and your apostle and servant to my need -- to send unto you,

²⁶ seeing he was longing after you all, and in heaviness, because ye heard that he ailed,

²⁷ for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have.

²⁸ The more eagerly, therefore, I did send him, that having seen him again ye may rejoice, and I may be the less sorrowful;

²⁹ receive him, therefore, in the Lord, with all joy, and hold such in honour,

³⁰ because on account of the work of the Christ he drew near to death, having hazarded the life that he might fill up your deficiency of service unto me.

---

¹ If then [there be] any comfort in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of [the] Spirit, if any bowels and compassions,

² fulfil my joy, that ye may think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking one thing;

³ [let] nothing [be] in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves;

⁴ regarding not each his own [qualities], but each those of others also.

⁵ For let this mind be in you which [was] also in Christ Jesus;

⁶ who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God;

⁷ but emptied himself, taking a bondman's form, taking his place in [the] likeness of men;

⁸ and having been found in figure as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and [that the] death of [the] cross.

⁹ Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and granted him a name, that which is above every name,

¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly and earthly and infernal [beings],

¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord to God [the] Father's glory.

¹² So that, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much rather in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

¹³ for it is God who works in you both the willing and the working according to [his] good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and reasonings,

¹⁵ that ye may be harmless and simple, irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation; among whom ye appear as lights in [the] world,

¹⁶ holding forth [the] word of life, so as to be a boast for me in Christ's day, that I have not run in vain nor laboured in vain.

¹⁷ But if also I am poured out as a libation on the sacrifice and ministration of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice in common with you all.

¹⁸ In like manner do *ye* also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

¹⁹ But I hope in [the] Lord Jesus to send Timotheus to you shortly, that *I* also may be refreshed, knowing how ye get on.

²⁰ For I have no one like-minded who will care with genuine feeling how ye get on.

²¹ For all seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ.

²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child a father, he has served with me in the work of the glad tidings.

²³ Him therefore I hope to send immediately, as soon as I shall see how it goes with me:

²⁴ but I trust in [the] Lord that I myself also shall soon come;

²⁵ but I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-workman and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need,

²⁶ since he had a longing desire after you all, and was distressed because ye had heard that he was sick;

²⁷ for he was also sick close to death, but God had mercy on him, and not indeed on him alone, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.

²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him ye might again rejoice, and that *I* might be the less sorrowful.

²⁹ Receive him therefore in [the] Lord with all joy, and hold such in honour;

³⁰ because for the sake of the work he drew near even to death, venturing his life that he might fill up what lacked in your ministration toward me.

---

¹ If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,

² make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

³ doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;

⁴ each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

⁵ Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

⁶ who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider it robbery to be equal with God,

⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;

¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,

¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

¹³ For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputes,

¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,

¹⁶ holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.

¹⁷ Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.

¹⁸ In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.

²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.

²¹ For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

²² But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Gospel.

²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.

²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.

²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and minister to my need;

²⁶ since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.

²⁷ For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.

²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, 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 joy, and hold such in honor,

³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

---

¹ If then there is any comfort in Christ, any help given by love, any uniting of hearts in the Spirit, any loving mercies and pity,

² Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in harmony and of one mind;

³ Doing nothing through envy or through pride, but with low thoughts of self let everyone take others to be better than himself;

⁴ Not looking everyone to his private good, but keeping in mind the things of others.

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus,

⁶ To whom, though himself in the form of God, it did not seem that to take for oneself was to be like God;

⁷ But he made himself as nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made like men;

⁸ And being seen in form as a man, he took the lowest place, and let himself be put to death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ For this reason God has put him in the highest place and has given to him the name which is greater than every name;

¹⁰ So that at the name of Jesus every knee may be bent, of those in heaven and those on earth and those in the underworld,

¹¹ And that every tongue may give witness that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² So then, my loved ones, as you have at all times done what I say, not only when I am present, but now much more when I am not with you, give yourselves to working out your salvation with fear in your hearts;

¹³ For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without protests and arguments;

¹⁵ So that you may be holy and gentle, children of God without sin in a twisted and foolish generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,

¹⁶ Offering the word of life; so that I may have glory in you in the day of Christ, because my running was not for nothing and my work was not without effect.

¹⁷ And even if I am offered like a drink offering, giving myself for the cause and work of your faith, I am glad and have joy with you all:

¹⁸ And in the same way do you be glad and have a part in my joy.

¹⁹ But I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may be comforted when I have news of you.

²⁰ For I have no man of like mind who will truly have care for you.

²¹ For they all go after what is theirs, not after the things of Christ.

²² But his quality is clear to you; how, as a child is to its father, so he was a help to me in the work of the good news.

²³ Him then I am hoping to send as quickly as possible, when I am able to see how things will go for me:

²⁴ But I have faith in the Lord that I myself will come before long.

²⁵ But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;

²⁶ Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:

²⁷ For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief.

²⁸ I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow.

²⁹ So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:

³⁰ Because for the work of Christ he was near to death, putting his life in danger to make your care for me complete.