Walk Wisely, Pray Faithfully
4 1 Masters, give your slaves what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, staying alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 And pray for us too, that our Father would open a door for us to share the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how to answer each person. a a v6 Seasoned with salt: thoughtful and engaging — words worth listening to.
Beloved Fellow Workers
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my situation. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so you will know how we are doing and so he can encourage your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only Jewish believers among my fellow workers for the kingdom of our Father, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you may stand mature and fully confident in everything our Father wills. 13 For I can tell you that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved doctor, greets you, and so does Demas.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and make sure you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus, "Make sure you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.