| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. |
| 2Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray. | 2Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. |
| 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. | 3At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. |
| 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should! | 4Pray that I may make it known as I should. |
| 5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. | 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. |
| 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone. |
| 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. | 7Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 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. | 8I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. | 9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
| 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. | 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him). |
| 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. | 11And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
| 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. | 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. |
| 13For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. | 13For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. | 14Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. |
| 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. | 16And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. |
| 17Tell Archippus, "See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord." | 17And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord." |
| 18This greeting is written with my own signature —"Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
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