NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, 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 also have a Master in heaven. |
2Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, |
3At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. | 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. |
4Pray that I may make it known as I should. | 4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should. |
5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. |
6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |
7Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. |
8I sent him to you for this very purpose, 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, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. |
9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. | 9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him). | 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. |
11And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers 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 fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. | 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. |
13For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. | 13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
14Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings. |
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. | 15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house. |
16And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. | 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. |
17And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord." | 17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” |
18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
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