| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. |
| 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: | 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, |
| 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. | 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. |
| 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. | 6Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. |
| 7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: | 7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. |
| 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, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. |
| 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. | 9He is with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything 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, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas's cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), |
| 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. | 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. |
| 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, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. |
| 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. | 13For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. | 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you. |
| 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. |
| 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. | 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. |
| 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. | 17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." |
| 18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18This greeting is in my own hand--Paul. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. |
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