| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray. |
| 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, | 3At the same time also pray for us—that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah, for which I have been imprisoned. |
| 4so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. | 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should! |
| 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. | 5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. |
| 6Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. |
| 7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7Tychicus will tell you everything that has happened to me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. |
| 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. | 8I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9He is with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. | 9He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. |
| 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas's cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), | 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. |
| 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. | 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been an encouragement to me. |
| 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. | 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of the Messiah Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand mature, completely convinced of the entire will of God. |
| 13For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. | 13For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. |
| 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. | 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and be sure to read the one from Laodicea. |
| 17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." | 17Tell Archippus, "See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord." |
| 18This greeting is in my own hand--Paul. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. | 18This greeting is written with my own signature —"Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen. |
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