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

Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Christian Graces

2 Y ou must keep praying. Keep watching! Be thankful always.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

3 A s 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.

meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

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

that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

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

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

6 S peak 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

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Final Greetings

7 T ychicus 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.

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

8 T his 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.

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

9 O nesimus 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.

with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

10 O ne 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.)

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

11 J esus 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!

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

12 E paphras 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.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

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

For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

14 L uke, the dear doctor, and Demas say hello.

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

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

Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. Closing Exhortations and Blessing

16 W hen 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.

Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

17 T ell Archippus to be sure to finish the work the Lord called him to do.

And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 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.

This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.