| New King James Version | King James Bible |
| 1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; | 2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same 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, | 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: |
| 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. | 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. |
| 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. | 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. |
| 7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: |
| 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, | 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort 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. | 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done 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 fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive 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 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. | 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. |
| 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. | 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 17And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” | 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. |
| 18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. |
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