| New International Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. |
| 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. | 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, |
| 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. | 4so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. |
| 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. |
| 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. | 6Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. | 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. | 9He is with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
| 10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you 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, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas's cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), |
| 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. | 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
| 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. | 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. |
| 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. | 13For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. |
| 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. | 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. |
| 16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. | 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. |
| 17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord." | 17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18This greeting is in my own hand--Paul. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
|
