| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you 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 earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; | 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. |
| 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, | 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 those who are outside, redeeming the time. | 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. |
| 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. | 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. |
| 7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. | 7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. |
| 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances 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 will make known to you all things which are happening 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 fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome 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 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. | 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 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 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 witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those 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. |
| 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. | 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her 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. | 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 you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” | 17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord." |
| 18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. | 18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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