| New King James Version | English Standard Version |
| 1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; | 2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. |
| 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, | 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— |
| 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. | 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of 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 you ought to answer each person. |
| 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 about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and 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 how we are 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. | 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. |
| 10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), | 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), |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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, 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. |
| 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 bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. | 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. |
| 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in 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. | 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. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” | 17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” |
| 18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | 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. |
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