²⁶ He could not wait to see you all. He was concerned for you when he found out you knew how sick he really was. ²⁷ In fact, he nearly died. But once again, God was exceedingly kind and covered him with His mercy. And I, too, by His mercy, have been spared sorrow on top of sorrow.

²⁸ I am so excited to be sending him back to you! I can picture the joy on your faces when he arrives; I can feel my worries falling away.