1   Masters, be just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2    3   Persevere in prayer, with mind awake and thankful heart; and include a prayer for us, that God may give us an opening for preaching, to tell the secret of Christ; that indeed is why I am now in prison. 4   Pray that I may make the secret plain, as it is my duty to do.

5   Behave wisely towards those outside your own number; use the present opportunity to the full. 6   Let your conversation be always gracious, and never insipid; study how best to talk with each person you meet.

7   You will hear all about my affairs from Tychicus, our dear brother and trustworthy helper and fellow-servant in the Lord's work. 8   I am sending him to you on purpose to let you know all about us and to put fresh heart into you. 9   With him comes Onesimus, our trustworthy and dear brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all the news here.

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10   Aristarchus, Christ's captive like myself, sends his greetings; so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (you have had instructions about him; if he comes, make him welcome), and Jesus Justus. 11   Of the Jewish Christians, these are the only ones who work with me for the kingdom of God, and they have been a great comfort to me. 12   Greetings from Epaphras, servant of Christ, who is one of yourselves. He prays hard for you all the time, that you may stand fast, ripe in conviction ^note and wholly devoted to doing God's will. 13   For I can vouch for him, that he works tirelessly for you and the people at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14   Greetings to you from our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and from Demas. 15   Give our greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and Nympha and the congregation at her house. ^note 16   And when this letter is read among you, see that it is also read to the congregation at Laodicea, and that you in return read the one from Laodicea. 17   This special word to Archippus: ‘Attend to the duty entrusted to you in the Lord's service, and discharge it to the full.’

18   This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember I am in prison. God's grace be with you.

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