1 M asters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

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

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 p raying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

praying 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;

4 t hat I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5 W alk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

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

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

7 A ll my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

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

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

For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

9 t ogether with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 A ristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),

Aristarchus, 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);

11 a nd Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

and 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.

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

Epaphras, 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.

13 F or I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

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

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

15 G reet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.

Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.

16 W hen this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

When 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.

17 T ell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

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

18 T he salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.