| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. |
| 2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. |
| 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: | 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our 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 proclaim it clearly, as I should. |
| 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. | 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; 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 always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to 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 will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. |
| 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; | 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances 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. | 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is 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;) | 10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; 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. | 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved 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 servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. |
| 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. | 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. |
| 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. | 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. |
| 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 at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church 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 this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn 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. | 17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have 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 in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
|
