Masters, on your part deal with your slaves justly and fairly, ^aknowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Lev 25:43, 53

2 ^aBe persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray ^afor us, too, that God will open a ^bdoor of opportunity to us for ^cthe word, to proclaim ^dthe mystery of Christ, for which I have ^ebeen imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear and speak boldly and unfold the mystery ^ain the way I should.

5 ^aConduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with ^boutsiders (non-believers) , ^cmake the most of each opportunity treating it as something precious. 6 ^aLet your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with ^bsalt, so that you will know how to ^canswer each one who questions you.

7 ^aAs to all my affairs, ^1bTychicus, who is a ^cmuch-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information. Eph 6:21 8 ^aI have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may ^bencourage your hearts; 9 and with him is ^1aOnesimus, our faithful and ^bbeloved brother, ^cwho is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here in Rome.

10 ^aAristarchus, my ^bfellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of ^cBarnabas (about whom you received instructions; ^dif he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only ^afellow workers for the kingdom of God ^bwho are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians) , and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. 12 ^aEpaphras, ^bwho is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always ^cstriving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, pleading that you may as people of character and courage stand ^dfirm, spiritually mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in ^aLaodicea and those in Hierapolis. 14 ^aLuke, the beloved physician, and ^bDemas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the ¹brothers and sisters at ^aLaodicea, and to Nympha and ^bthe church that meets in her house. 16 ^aWhen this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; and also that you in turn ^bread ¹my letter that is coming to you from ^cLaodicea. 17 And say to ^aArchippus, “See to it that you fulfill carefully the duties of the ^bministry which you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, ^awrite this greeting with my own hand. ^bRemember my ^cchains. May ^dgrace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.

Masters, show to your slaves what is right and fair, ^aknowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2 ^aDevote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time ^afor us as well, that God will open up to us a ^bdoor for ^cthe word, so that we may speak ^dthe mystery of Christ, for which I have also ^ebeen bound, 4 that I may make it ^amanifest ^bin the way I ought to speak.

5 ^aWalk in wisdom toward ^boutsiders, ^credeeming the time. 6 ^aLet your ¹words always be ²with grace, seasoned with ^bsalt, so that you will know how you should ^canswer each person.

7 ^aTychicus, our ^bbeloved brother and faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you ^call my affairs, 8 ^awhom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may ^bencourage your hearts; 9 ¹and with him ^aOnesimus, our faithful and ^bbeloved brother, ^cwho is one of you. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 ^aAristarchus, my ^bfellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Mark, the cousin of ^cBarnabas (about whom you received ¹instructions; ^dif he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only ^afellow workers for the kingdom of God ^bwho are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be a comfort to me. 12 ^aEpaphras, ^bwho is one of your number, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always ^cstriving for you in his prayers, that you may stand ^1dcomplete and ^efully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has ¹a deep concern for you and for those who are in ^aLaodicea and Hierapolis. 14 ^aLuke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also ^bDemas. 15 Greet the brothers who are in ^aLaodicea and also ¹Nympha and ^bthe church that is in ²her house. 16 ^aAnd when ¹this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part ^bread ²my letter that is coming from ^cLaodicea. 17 And say to ^aArchippus, “Take heed to the ^bministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may ¹fulfill it.”

18 ^aThe greeting is in my own hand—¹Paul. ^bRemember my ^cchains. ^dGrace be with you.

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, ^aknowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 ^aDevote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time ^afor us as well, that God will open up to us a ^bdoor for ^cthe word, so that we may proclaim ^dthe mystery of Christ, for which I have also ^ebeen imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear ^ain the way that I ought to proclaim it.

5 ^1aConduct yourselves with wisdom toward ^boutsiders, ^2cmaking the most of the opportunity. 6 ^aYour speech must always be ¹with grace, as though seasoned with ^bsalt, so that you will know how you should ^crespond to each person.

7 ^aAs to all my affairs, ^bTychicus, our ^cbeloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 ^aFor I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may ^bencourage your hearts; 9 ¹and with him is ^aOnesimus, our faithful and ^bbeloved brother, ^cwho is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 ^aAristarchus, my ^bfellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also ^cBarnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received ¹instructions; ^dif he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only ^afellow workers for the kingdom of God ^bwho are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 ^aEpaphras, ^bwho is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always ^cstriving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may ¹stand ^2dmature and ³fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has ¹a deep concern for you and for those who are in ^aLaodicea and Hierapolis. 14 ^aLuke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and ^bDemas does also. 15 Greet the brothers and sisters who are in ^aLaodicea and also ¹Nympha and ^bthe church that is in ²her house. 16 ^aWhen ¹this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, ^bread ²my letter that is coming from ^cLaodicea. 17 Tell ^aArchippus, “See to the ^bministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may ¹fulfill it.”

18 ¹I, Paul, ^awrite this greeting with my own hand. ^bRemember my ^2cimprisonment. ^dGrace be with you.