1 M asters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too 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 D evote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

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

3 p raying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

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 clear in the way I ought to speak.

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

5 C onduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

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

6 L et your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

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 s to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.

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 F or I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage 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 a nd with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation 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, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome 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 also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to 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 your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you 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 testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and 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, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

Luke, the dear doctor, and Demas say hello.

15 G reet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.

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

16 W hen this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming 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 S ay to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

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

18 I , Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. 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.