| English Standard Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of 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— | 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; |
| 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. | 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. |
| 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 with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. |
| 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, | 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances 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. | 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation 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 his greetings; and also Barnabas's cousin Mark (about whom you 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 also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement 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 your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the 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 for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in 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. | 16When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” | 17Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. 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. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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