| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. |
| 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. | 2Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. | 4Pray that I may make it known as I should. |
| 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. | 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. |
| 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone. |
| 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. | 7Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. | 8I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. | 9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
| 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.) | 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). |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. | 13For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. | 14Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. |
| 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. |
| 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. | 16And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. |
| 17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord." | 17And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord." |
| 18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
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