| New International Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also 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, being watchful and thankful. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. | 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should! |
| 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. | 5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. |
| 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 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 am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and 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 coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening 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. |
| 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.) | 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. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. | 13For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. |
| 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord." | 17Tell Archippus, "See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord." |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18This greeting is written with my own signature —"Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen. |
| 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. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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