Book of Common Prayer
The expression of the new life (ii)
18 Wives, adapt yourselves to your husbands, that your marriage may be a Christian unity.
19 Husbands, be sure you give your wives much love and sympathy; don’t let bitterness or resentment spoil your marriage.
20 As for you children, your duty is to obey your parents, for at your age this is one of the best things you can do to show your love for God.
21 Fathers, don’t over-correct your children, or they will grow up feeling inferior and frustrated.
22-25 Slaves, your job is to obey your masters, not with the idea of currying favour, but as a sincere expression of your devotion to God. Whatever you do, put your whole heart and soul into it, as into work done for God, and not merely for men—knowing that your real reward, a heavenly one, will come from God, since you are actually employed by Christ, and not just by your earthly master. But the wicked man will be punished for his misdeeds, and naturally no distinction will be made between master and man.
4 Remember, then, you employers, that your responsibility is to be fair and just towards those whom you employ, never forgetting that you yourselves have a heavenly employer.
Some simple, practical advice
2-4 Always maintain the habit of prayer: be both alert and thankful as you pray. Include us in your prayers, please, that God may open for us a door for the entrance of the Gospel. Pray that we may talk freely of the mystery of Christ (for which I am at present in chains), and that I may make that mystery plain to men, which I know is my duty.
5-6 Be wise in your behaviour towards non-Christians, and make the best possible use of your time. Speak pleasantly to them, but never sentimentally, and learn to give a proper answer to every questioner.
Greetings and farewell
7-9 Tychicus (a well-loved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow-servant of the Lord) will tell you all about my present circumstances. This is partly why I am sending him to you. The other reasons are that you may find out how we are all getting on, and that he may put new heart into you. With him is Onesimus one of your own congregation (well-loved and faithful, too). Between them they will tell you of conditions and activities here.
10-11 Aristarchus, who is also in prison here, sends greetings, and so does Barnabas’ cousin, Mark. I believe I told you before about him; if he does come to you, make him welcome. Jesus Justus, another Hebrew Christian, is here too. Only these few are working with me for the kingdom, but what a help they have been!
12-13 Epaphras, another member of your Church, and a real servant of Christ, sends his greeting. He works hard for you even here, for he prays constantly and earnestly for you, that you may become mature Christians, and may fulfil God’s will for you. From my own observation I can tell you that he has a real passion for your welfare, and for that of the churches of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, our beloved doctor and Demas send their best wishes.
15 My own greetings to the Christians in Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the congregation who meet in her house.
16 When you have had this letter read in your church, see that the Laodiceans have it read in their church too; and see that you read the letter I have written to them.
17 A brief message to Archippus: God ordained you to your work—see that you don’t fail him!
18 My personal greeting to you written by myself. Don’t forget I’m in prison. Grace be with you.
PAUL
Jesus proclaims the new values of the kingdom
5 When Jesus saw the vast crowds he went up the hill-side and after he had sat down his disciples came to him.
2-12 Then he began his teaching by saying to them, “How happy are the humble-minded, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs! “How happy are those who know what sorrow means for they will be given courage and comfort! “Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them! “Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for goodness, for they will be fully satisfied! “Happy are the merciful, for they will have mercy shown to them! “Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God! “Happy are those who make peace, for they will be sons of God! “Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs! “And what happiness will be yours when people blame you and ill-treat you and say all kinds of slanderous things against you for my sake! Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad—for your reward in Heaven is magnificent. They persecuted the prophets before your time in exactly the same way.
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.