| English Standard Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing 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. |
| 2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful 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 to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of 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. |
| 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. | 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should! |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. | 5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. |
| 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | 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 about my activities. He is a beloved brother and 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 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 this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing 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, 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, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (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 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 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 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, 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 bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and 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 beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers 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. |
| 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. | 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 say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that 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 with 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. |
| 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. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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