| English Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, |
| 3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— | 3as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. |
| 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. | 4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. |
| 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. |
| 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, | 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. | 9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
| 10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), | 10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him. |
| 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. | 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
| 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. | 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God. |
| 13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. | 13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | 15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house. |
| 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. | 16After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” | 17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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