1 M asters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Owners, give your servants what is right. Do the same for all. Remember that your Owner is in heaven. Some Things to Do

2 C ontinue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

You must keep praying. Keep watching! Be thankful always.

3 w ithal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

As you pray, be sure to pray for us also. Pray that God will open the door for us to preach the Word. We want to tell the secret of Christ. And this is the reason I am in prison.

4 t hat I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Pray that I will be able to preach so everyone can understand. This is the way I should speak.

5 W alk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Be wise in the way you live around those who are not Christians. Make good use of your time.

6 L et your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

Speak with them in such a way they will want to listen to you. Do not let your talk sound foolish. Know how to give the right answer to anyone. Paul’s Helpers Say Hello

7 A ll my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:

Tychicus will tell you how I am getting along. He is a much-loved brother and faithful helper. Both of us are owned by the Lord.

8 w hom I have sent you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;

This is the reason I have sent him to you. It is so you can know about us. He can also bring joy to your hearts.

9 t ogether with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

Onesimus is going with Tychicus. He is one of your own people. He is faithful and we love him very much. They will tell you about everything here.

10 A ristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),

One of the men here in prison with me is Aristarchus. He says hello you. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, says hello. (You have heard before that if he comes to you, you are to receive him and make him happy.)

11 a nd Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.

Jesus Justus says hello also. These are the only Jewish workers helping me teach about the holy nation of God. What a help they have been to me!

12 E paphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

Epaphras says hello. He is one of your people and a servant of Jesus Christ. As he prays for you, he asks God to help you to be strong and to make you perfect. He prays that you will know what God wants you to do in all things.

13 F or I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.

I can tell you for sure that he works hard for you and for the Christians in the cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 L uke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you.

Luke, the dear doctor, and Demas say hello.

15 S alute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.

Greet all the Christians in Laodicea. Greet Nympha and the Christians who gather for church in her house.

16 A nd when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.

When this letter has been read to you, have it read in the church in Laodicea also. Be sure you read the letter that is coming from Laodicea.

17 A nd say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Tell Archippus to be sure to finish the work the Lord called him to do.

18 T he salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

I, Paul, am writing this last part with my own hand. Do not forget that I am in prison. May you have God’s loving-favor.