| English Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. |
| 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— | 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, |
| 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. | 4so that I may make it known as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of 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 you should answer each person. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 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, so that you may know how we are and so 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. | 9He is coming with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved 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), | 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas's cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: 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. | 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers 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, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. |
| 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 works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. | 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. |
| 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 at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” | 17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. 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 Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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