(19)But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be cheered, when I know your state. (20)For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. (21)For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. (22)But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child with a father, he served with me for the gospel. (23)Him therefore I hope to send without delay, 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 labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and minister to my wants. (26)For he was longing after you all, and was much distressed, because ye heard that he was sick. (27)For indeed he was sick near to 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 sent him therefore with the more haste, that seeing him again ye might rejoice, and that I may be less sorrowful. (29)Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in honor; (30)because for the work of Christ he came near to death, hazarding his life, that he might supply what things were lacking on your part, of the ministration to me. III. FINALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me is not burdensome, and for you it is safe. (2)Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision. (3)For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (4)Though I have confidence also in the flesh. If any other thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I more; (5)circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; (6)as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (7)But what things were gain to me, these I have accounted loss for Christ. (8)Nay more, and I account all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and account them refuse, that I may gain Christ, (9)and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God, upon faith; (10)that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings[3:10], being conformed to his death; (11)if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.