| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because 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 |
| 2Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. | 2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. |
| 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. | 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 make it known as I should. | 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. |
| 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. | 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 you should 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, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 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 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—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. |
| 9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear 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. |
| 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). | 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. |
| 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 (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 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, 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 can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. | 13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. | 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in 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 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. |
| 17And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord." | 17And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. 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. |
|
