Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
1Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. |
2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. |
3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, | 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. |
4so that I may make it known as I should. | 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. |
5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. | 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. |
6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. | 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |
7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. |
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. | 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. |
9He is coming with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. | 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. |
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas's cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), | 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.) |
11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. | 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. |
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. | 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. |
13For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. | 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings. | 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. |
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. |
16After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. | 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. |
17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." | 17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord." |
18I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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. |
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