Personal greetings

1I have good things to say about Phoebe, who is a leader in the church at Cenchreae. 2Welcome her in a way that is proper for someone who has faith in the Lord and is one of God's own people. Help her in any way you can. After all, she has proved to be a respected leader for many others, including me.

3Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila. They have not only served Christ Jesus together with me,16.3: Ac 18.2. 4but they have even risked their lives for me. I am grateful for them and so are all the Gentile churches. 5Greet the church that meets in their home.

Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first person in Asia to have faith in Christ.

6Greet Mary, who has worked so hard for you.

7Greet my relatives16.7 relatives: Or “Jewish friends”. Andronicus and Junias16.7 Junias: Or “Junia”. Some manuscripts have “Julia”., who were in jail with me. They are highly respected by the apostles and were followers of Christ before I was.

8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend whose faith is in the Lord.

9Greet Urbanus, who serves Christ along with us.

Greet my dear friend Stachys.

10Greet Apelles, a faithful servant of Christ.

Greet Aristobulus and his family.

11Greet Herodion, who is a relative16.11 relative(s): Or “Jewish friend(s)”. of mine.

Greet Narcissus and the others in his family, who have faith in the Lord.

12Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work hard for the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis. She also works hard for the Lord.

13Greet Rufus, that special servant of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me.16.13: Mk 15.21.

14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, and Hermas, as well as our friends who are with them.

15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all God's people who are with them.

16Be sure to give each other a warm greeting.

All Christ's churches greet you.

17My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them! 18They want to serve themselves and not Christ the Lord. Their flattery and fancy talk fool people who don't know any better. 19I am glad that everyone knows how well you obey the Lord. But still, I want you to understand what is good and not have anything to do with evil. 20Then God, who gives peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. I pray that our Lord Jesus will be kind to you.

21Timothy, who works with me, sends his greetings, and so do my relatives,16.21 relative(s): Or “Jewish friend(s)”. Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater.16.21: Ac 16.1.

22I, Tertius, also send my greetings. I am a follower of the Lord, and I wrote this letter.16.22 I wrote this letter: Paul probably dictated this letter to Tertius.

23-24Gaius welcomes me and the whole church into his home, and he sends his greetings.

Erastus, the city treasurer, and our dear friend Quartus send their greetings too.16.23,24 send their greetings too: Some manuscripts add, “I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will always be kind to you. Amen.”16.23: a Ac 19.29; 1 Co 1.14; b 2 Ti 4.20.

Paul's closing prayer

25Praise God! He can make you strong by means of my good news, which is the message about16.25 about: Or “from”. Jesus Christ. For many ages this message was kept secret, 26but now at last it has been told. The eternal God commanded his prophets to write about the good news, so that all nations would obey and have faith. 27And now, because of Jesus Christ, we can praise the only wise God for ever! Amen.16.27 Amen: Some manuscripts have verses 25-27 after 14.23. Others have the verses here and after 14.23, and one manuscript has them after 15.33.