English Standard Version ESV
New King James Version NKJV
1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
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Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
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Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
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meanwhile 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,
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
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that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
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Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
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Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
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Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
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I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
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with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions— if he comes to you, welcome him),
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Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
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and 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.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
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Epaphras, 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.
13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
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For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
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Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
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Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
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Now 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.
17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. ”
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And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
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This salutation by my own hand--Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.