| King James Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. An Encouragement for Prayer |
| 2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. |
| 3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: | 3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. |
| 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. | 5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. |
| 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. | 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings |
| 7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: | 7Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. |
| 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; | 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. |
| 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. | 9I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here. |
| 10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) | 10Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. |
| 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. | 11Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! |
| 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. | 12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. |
| 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. | 13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. |
| 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. | 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. |
| 16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. | 16After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. |
| 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. | 17And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” |
| 18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul . Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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