^1. MASTERS, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

^2. Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

^3. 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. that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

^5. [2] Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, [1] making the most of the opportunity.

^6. Let your speech always be [3] with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

^7. As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.

^8. 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. [4] 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. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas' cousin Mark (about whom you received [5] instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

^11. 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. 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 [8] stand [7] perfect and [6] fully assured in all the will of God.

^13. For I testify for him that he has [9] a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

^14. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

^15. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also [11] Nympha and the church that is in [10] her house.

^16. When [13] this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read [12] my letter that is coming from Laodicea.

^17. Say to Archippus, �Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may [14] fulfill it.�

^18. [16] I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my [15] imprisonment. Grace be with you.