^5 (A)Walk in ^(B)wisdom toward those who are outside, ^(C)redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be ^(D)with grace, ^(E)seasoned with salt, ^(F)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Final Greetings^(G)

^7 (H)Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ^8 (I)I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that ^[a]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with ^(J)Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

^10 (K)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with ^(L)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 my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

^12 (M)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always ^(N)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand ^(O)perfect and ^[b]complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great ^[c]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ^14 (P)Luke the beloved physician and ^(Q)Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and ^[d]Nymphas and ^(R)the church that is in ^[e]his house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

¹⁶ Now when ^(S)this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to ^(T)Archippus, “Take heed to ^(U)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

^18 (V)This salutation by my own hand—Paul. ^(W)Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Walk in Love

5 Therefore^(A) be imitators of God as dear ^(B)children. ² And ^(C)walk in love, ^(D)as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God ^(E)for a sweet-smelling aroma.

³ But fornication and all ^(F)uncleanness or ^(G)covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ^4 (H)neither filthiness, nor ^(I)foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, ^(J)which are not fitting, but rather ^(K)giving of thanks. ⁵ For ^[a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any ^(L)inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be ^(M)partakers with them.

Walk in Light

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are ^(N)light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for ^(O)the fruit of the ^[b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ^10 (P)finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have ^(Q)no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather ^[c]expose them. ^12 (R)For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But ^(S)all things that are ^[d]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. ¹⁴ Therefore He says:

Walk in Wisdom

^15 (U)See then that you walk ^[e]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ^16 (V)redeeming the time, ^(W)because the days are evil.

^17 (X)Therefore do not be unwise, but ^(Y)understand ^(Z)what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And ^(AA)do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another ^(AB)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making ^(AC)melody in your heart to the Lord, ^20 (AD)giving thanks always for all things to God the Father ^(AE)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^21 (AF)submitting to one another in the fear of ^[f]God.

Walk in Wisdom

^15 (A)See then that you walk ^[a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ^16 (B)redeeming the time, ^(C)because the days are evil.

^29 (A)Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but ^(B)what is good for necessary ^[a]edification, ^(C)that it may impart grace to the hearers.

² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

¹⁵ But ^[a]sanctify ^[b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always ^(A)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the ^(B)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ^16 (C)having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.