Prayerful Speech and Actions 1 UDB Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly supply what they need, because you know that you also have a master who is in heaven. BSB BSB: Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 UDB Keep praying without stopping. Do not be lazy, but instead keep praying and thanking God. BSB BSB: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
3 UDB Pray together for us too, so that God will make it possible for us to freely explain the good news—the secret about Christ that God is now revealing everywhere. It is because we proclaimed this good news that I am now in prison. BSB BSB: as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 UDB Pray that I might be able to fully explain the good news. BSB BSB: Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
5 UDB Live wisely around those who are not believers, and make each moment valuable by using it wisely. BSB BSB: Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
6 UDB Always speak graciously and in a pleasant and interesting way to those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus. Then you will know how to speak to each person about the Lord. BSB BSB: Let 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)
7 UDB Tychicus will tell you everything that has been happening to me. He is a fellow believer whom I love, who helps me faithfully, and who serves the Lord Jesus together with me. BSB BSB: Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
8 UDB The reason that I am sending Tychicus to you with this letter is that you might know about us and that he might encourage you. BSB BSB: I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
9 UDB I am sending him to you with Onesimus, who is a faithful fellow believer, whom I love, and who is your fellow townsman. They will tell you all about what has been happening here. BSB BSB: With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 UDB Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, and Mark, who is Barnabas's cousin, greet you. I have instructed you about Mark, so if he comes to you, welcome him. BSB BSB: My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.
11 UDB Jesus, who is also named Justus, also greets you. These three men are the only Jews who follow Jesus Christ and are working with me to proclaim God as king through Christ Jesus. They have greatly helped and encouraged me. BSB BSB: Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 UDB Epaphras, who is your fellow townsman and a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He prays earnestly for you very often, that you might be strong and believe everything that God teaches us and promises us. BSB BSB: Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
13 UDB I can say that he has worked very hard for you, for those who live in the city of Laodicea, and for those who live in the city of Hierapolis. BSB BSB: For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 UDB Luke the doctor, whom I love, and Demas greet you. BSB BSB: Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
Signature and Final Instructions (1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)
15 UDB Greet the fellow believers who live in Laodicea, and greet Nympha and the group of believers that meets in her house. BSB BSB: Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
16 UDB After someone reads this letter among you, have someone also read it to the assembly in Laodicea. And read the letter from Laodicea, too. BSB BSB: After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 UDB Tell Archippus to make sure that he completes the task that God gave him to do. BSB BSB: Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 UDB I, Paul, greet you now in my own handwriting. Remember me and pray for me in prison. I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ would continue to act graciously toward you all. BSB BSB: This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.