3. At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach his message about the secret of Christ. For that is why I am now in prison.
4. Pray, then, that I may speak, as I should, in such a way as to make it clear.
5. Be wise in the way you act towards those who are not believers, making good use of every opportunity you have.
6. Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.
7. Our dear brother Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow-servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me.
8. That is why I am sending him to you, in order to cheer you up by telling you how all of us are getting on.
9. With him goes Onesimus, that dear and faithful brother, who belongs to your group. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10. Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have already received instructions to welcome Mark if he comes your way.)
11. Joshua, also called Justus, sends greetings too. These three are the only Jewish believers who work with me for the Kingdom of God, and they have been a great help to me.
12. Greetings from Epaphras, another member of your group and a servant of Christ Jesus. He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will.
13. I can personally testify to his hard work for you and for the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis.