1Gospodari, postupajte pravedno i pošteno prema svojim robovima. Ne zaboravite da i vi imate Gospodara—na nebu!
Poticaj na molitvu
2Molite se ustrajno i budno, sa zahvalnošću. 3Molite se i za nas, da nam Bog otvori vrata kako bismo mogli navješćivati Kristovo otajstvo zbog kojega sam u okovima 4te da ga navijestim onako kako treba.
5Mudro postupajte prema onima koji su vani; koristite svaku prigodu da činite dobro. 6Neka vaše riječi uvijek budu ljubazne, solju začinjene, da znate što kome treba reći.
Posljednje napomene i pozdravi
7Moj voljeni brat Tihik, vjerni sluga Gospodnji, ispričat će vam sve o meni. 8Šaljem ga k vama baš zato da znate kako smo i da vas ohrabri. 9Šaljem vam i vjernoga, dragog brata Onezima, vašega zemljaka. On i Tihik ispričat će vam kako je ovdje.
10Pozdravlja vas Aristarh, koji je sa mnom u zatvoru, te Barnabin nećak Marko, za kojega sam vas već prije uputio da ga lijepo primite dođe li k vama. 11Pozdravlja vas i Isus, kojega zovemo Just. To su jedini moji suradnici na kraljevstvu Božjemu koji su židovskoga podrijetla. Oni su mi bili utjeha.
12Pozdravlja vas vaš zemljak Epafra, sluga Krista Isusa. On se uvijek žarko moli za vas da, prema Božjoj volji, budete zreli i čvrsti u vjeri. 13Zaista vam mogu reći da se svojski trudi za vas, kao i za kršćane u Laodiceji i u Hierapolu.
14Pozdravljaju vas dragi liječnik Luka i Dema. 15Pozdravite braću i sestre u Laodiceji te Nimfu i Crkvu koja se sastaje u njezinu domu.
16Kad pročitate ovo pismo, neka ga pročitaju i u laodicejskoj Crkvi, a vi pročitajte ono koje sam njima napisao. 17Arhipu recite da obavlja službu koju mu je Gospodin dao.
18Evo i pozdrava mojom, Pavlovom rukom.
Sjećajte se mojih okova.
Neka je s vama Božja milost.
1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further instructions
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final greetings
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12 in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’
18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
