New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
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Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
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Give yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise;
3 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,
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And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;
4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
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So that I may make it clear, as it is right for me to do.
5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
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Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
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Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
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Tychicus will give you news of all my business: he is a dear brother and true servant and helper in the word;
8 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;
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And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may have news of how we are, and so that he may give your hearts comfort;
9 he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
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And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here.
10 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.
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Aristarchus, my brother-prisoner, sends his love to you, and Mark, a relation of Barnabas (about whom you have been given orders: if he comes to you, be kind to him),
11 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.
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And Jesus, whose other name is Justus; these are of the circumcision: they are my only brother-workers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.
12 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.
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Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.
13 For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
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For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
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Luke, our well-loved medical friend, and Demas, send you their love.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
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Give my love to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nymphas and the church in their house.
16 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.
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And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, "See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord."
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Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
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I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.