1 M asters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you 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 steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

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

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;

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 reveal it 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 those who are outside, 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 always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you 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 will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant 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 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and 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 will make known to you everything that is going on 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, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to 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 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.

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, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete 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 about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those 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 greet you.

Luke, the dear doctor, and Demas say hello.

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

Greet all the Christians in Laodicea. Greet Nympha and the Christians who gather for church 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 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 T ell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

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

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

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.