| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because 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— | 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our 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 proclaim it clearly, as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. |
| 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, 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 dear brother, a faithful minister and 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 am sending him to you for the express 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. | 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening 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 his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have 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 co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved 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 greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. |
| 13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. | 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. | 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send 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 at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church 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. | 16After this letter has been read to you, see 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. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting in 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. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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