17. But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you.
18. You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me!
19. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to see you soon so that I may be encouraged by hearing about you.
20. I have no one like him. He is a person who genuinely cares about your well-being.
21. All the others put their own business ahead of Jesus Christ’s business.
22. You know his character, how he labors with me for the gospel like a son works with his father.
23. So he is the one that I hope to send as soon as I find out how things turn out here for me.
24. I trust in the Lord that I also will visit you soon.
25. I think it is also necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier; and he is your representative who serves my needs.
26. He misses you all, and he was upset because you heard he was sick.