| International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. An Encouragement for Prayer |
| 2Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. |
| 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. | 3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. |
| 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should! | 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. |
| 5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. | 5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. |
| 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. | 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings |
| 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 will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. |
| 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 have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. |
| 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 am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening 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, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. |
| 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. | 11Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! |
| 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, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole 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. | 13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. | 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at 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. | 16After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. |
| 17Tell Archippus, "See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord." | 17And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” |
| 18This greeting is written with my own signature —"Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen. | 18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul . Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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