2Persevere in prayer, with mind awake and thankful heart; 3and 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. 4Pray that I may make the secret plain, as it is my duty to do.
5Behave wisely towards those outside your own number; use the present opportunity to the full. 6Let your conversation be always gracious, and never insipid; study how best to talk with each person you meet.
7YOU WILL HEAR all about my affairs from Tychicus, our dear brother and trustworthy helper and fellow-servant in the Lord's work. 8I am sending him to you on purpose to let you know all about us and to put fresh heart into you. 9With him comes Onesimus, our trustworthy and dear brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all the news here.
10Aristarchus, 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. 11Of 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. 12Greetings 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 and wholly devoted to doing God's will. 13For I can vouch for him, that he works tirelessly for you and the people at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Greetings to you from our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and from Demas. 15Give our greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and Nympha and the congregation at her house. 16And 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. 17This special word to Archippus: 'Attend to the duty entrusted to you in the Lord's service, and discharge it to the full.'
18This greeting is in my own hand—PAUL. Remember I am in prison. God's grace be with you.
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