English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
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Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
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Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert 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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At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
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so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
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Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of 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 gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
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 will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
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 have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage 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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he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything 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, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have 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 greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been 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 servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills.
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 testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and 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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Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her 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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And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter 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, "See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
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I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.