Prayerful Speech and Actions 1 UST Masters must treat their slaves justly and fairly.{ You who are masters must do this} because you know that you too serve a Master{, one 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 UST Pray{ to God} persistently. Pay attention when you pray, and give thanks{ to God}. BSB BSB: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
3 UST When you are praying, pray for us too.{ Pray} that God will make it possible for us to freely proclaim our message, which is the secret about the Messiah that we now share with others. Because{ we proclaimed} this message, 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 UST { Pray} that I am able to explain the good news clearly, since this is what God has called me to do. BSB BSB: Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
5 UST Behave wisely around those who do not believe in the Messiah. Take advantage of every opportunity{ you have to do this}. BSB BSB: Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
6 UST { When you talk with them,} you must always speak in a pleasant and interesting way.{ When you do this,} you will know the best way to respond to each person. 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 UST 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 together with me as a man whom God has united to the Lord. 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 UST I am sending Tychicus to you{ with this letter} because I want you to know how we are doing and because Tychicus will help you live confidently. 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 UST { I am sending him to you} with Onesimus, who is a faithful fellow believer whom I love. He is from your group. Tychicus and Onesimus will tell you about everything{ that 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 UST Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, and Mark, who is Barnabas’ cousin, send their regards to you. You already know that you should welcome Mark if he visits you. 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 UST Jesus, whom you may know by the name Justus, also{ sends his regards}. These men{— Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus—} are the only Jewish believers who are working with me for the sake of God’ s kingdom. They have encouraged me{ in this work}. 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 UST Epaphras, who is from your group{ and} who serves the Messiah Jesus, sends his regards to you. He prays earnestly for you very often.{ He prays} that God will make you able to be what God has called you to be and to be sure of everything that God wants{ you to do}. 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 UST { You know that he prays this way for you} because I can personally affirm this about him.{ I tell you} that he works very hard for you, for the people{ who live} in the city of Laodicea, and for the people{ 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 UST Luke the doctor, whom I love, and Demas send their regards to 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 UST Give our regards to the fellow believers who live in Laodicea, to Nympha, and to the group of believers{ that meets} in Nympha’ s home. BSB BSB: Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
16 UST After the person who reads this letter to you finishes it, send{ it to Laodicea} so that someone can read it to the group of believers there, too. Also,{ ask for} the letter I sent to the believers in Laodicea so that you too can read it. 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 UST { You must} tell Archippus to make sure that he completes the task that God gave him to do when God united him to the Messiah. BSB BSB: Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 UST I, Paul, send my regards{ to you}. I am writing{ these last words} myself{ instead of having my scribe write them}. You must not forget that I am in prison.{ I pray that God will} be gracious to you. 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.