Prayerful Speech and Actions

1Masters {kyrioi}, supply your slaves {doulois} with what is right and fair, since you know that you⁺ also have a Master {Kyrion} in heaven.

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, 3as you pray also for us, that God {Theos} may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ (the Anointed One), for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming (ransoming) the time. 6Let your⁺ speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you⁺ may know how to answer everyone.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers
(Romans 16:21–23)

7Tychicus will tell you⁺ all the news about me. He is a beloved {agapētos} brother, a faithful minister {diakonos}, and a fellow servant {syndoulos} in the Lord {Kyriō}. 8I have sent him to you⁺ for this very purpose, that you⁺ may know about us, and that he may encourage your⁺ hearts. 9With him I am sending Onesimus (beneficial, profitable), our faithful and beloved {agapētō} brother, who is one of you⁺. They will tell you⁺ about everything here.

10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus (of Macedonia) sends you⁺ greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (son of encouragement). You⁺ have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you⁺, welcome him. 11Jesus (YHWH saves), who is called Justus (righteous), also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God {Theou}, and they have been a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you⁺ and a servant {doulos} of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), sends you⁺ greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you⁺, so that you⁺ may stand mature (complete) and fully assured in the full will of God {Theou}. 13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you⁺ and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14Luke (from Lucania), the beloved {agapētos} physician, and Demas send you⁺ greetings.

Signature and Final Instructions
(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)

15Greet the brothers (and sisters) in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church {ekklēsian} that meets at her house.

16After this letter {epistolē} has been read among you⁺, make sure that it is also read in the church {ekklēsia} of the Laodiceans, and that you⁺ in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry {diakonian} you have received in the Lord {Kyriō}.”

18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul (humble).

Remember my chains.

Grace be with you⁺ [Amen.].a