| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, |
| 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, | 3as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. |
| 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. |
| 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |
| 7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. |
| 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, | 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. | 9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
| 10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), | 10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him. |
| 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. | 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
| 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. | 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God. |
| 13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. | 13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings. |
| 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. | 15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house. |
| 16Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. | 16After this letter has been read among you, make sure 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, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” | 17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” |
| 18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
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