| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since 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, being watchful and thankful, | 2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. |
| 3as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. | 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. |
| 4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should. | 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. |
| 5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the 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 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 all the news about me. He is a beloved 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 have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, 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. |
| 9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything 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. |
| 10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already 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 sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort 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 and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full 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 testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and 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 send you greetings. | 14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. |
| 15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house. | 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. |
| 16After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter 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 to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” | 17And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” |
| 18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul . Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you. |
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