| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. |
| 2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | 2Be devoted to prayer, keeping 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 for us too, that God may open a door for the message 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 make it known as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. |
| 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 everyone. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 7Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave 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 sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing 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. | 9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear 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, the cousin of Barnabas (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 Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only 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 slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature 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 can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. | 14Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. |
| 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 who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets 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. | 16And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” | 17And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord." |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
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