| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. |
| 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, | 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, |
| 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. |
| 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. | 6Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. |
| 7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, | 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. |
| 9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. | 9He is with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. |
| 10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), | 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas's cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), |
| 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. | 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
| 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. | 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. |
| 13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. | 13For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. |
| 16Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. | 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” | 17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." |
| 18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18This greeting is in my own hand--Paul. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. |
|
