¹³ so that it has become evident ^(A)to the whole ^[a]palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

^9 (A)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, ^(B)even to the point of chains; ^(C)but the word of God is not chained.

The Mystery Revealed

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—

⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

²⁰ for which ^(A)I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

²⁹ And Paul said, ^(A)“I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

Suffering for God’s Glory

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice ^(A)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that ^(B)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are ^[a]reproached for the name of Christ, ^(C)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ^[b]On their part He is blasphemed, ^(D)but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a ^[c]busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this ^[d]matter.

^3 (A)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would ^(B)open to us a door for the word, to speak ^(C)the ^[a]mystery of Christ, ^(D)for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

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

Final Greetings^(K)

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

^10 (O)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with ^(P)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 (Q)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always ^(R)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand ^(S)perfect and ^[c]complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great ^[d]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ^14 (T)Luke the beloved physician and ^(U)Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and ^[e]Nymphas and ^(V)the church that is in ^[f]his house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

¹⁶ Now when ^(W)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 ^(X)Archippus, “Take heed to ^(Y)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

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

²² All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.