| New King James Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, 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 earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray. |
| 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 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 manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should! |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. | 5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your 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 everyone. |
| 7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 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 am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort 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. |
| 9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening 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, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you 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 my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be 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 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 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 a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those 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 and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is 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. | 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, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” | 17Tell Archippus, "See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord." |
| 18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18This greeting is written with my own signature —"Paul." Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. 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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