| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. |
| 2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; | 2Be devoted to prayer, keeping 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 for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. |
| 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4Pray that I may make it known as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. | 5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. |
| 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. | 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone. |
| 7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: | 7Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, 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 sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and 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. | 9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear 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, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you 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 Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers 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 and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the 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. | 13For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. | 14Our dear friend Luke the 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 and sisters who are in 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. | 16And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. |
| 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. | 17And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord." |
| 18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
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