| New King James Version (NKJV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
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1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
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2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
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2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
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3 meanwhile 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,
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3 And 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.
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4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
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4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
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5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
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5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
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6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
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6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
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7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
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7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
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8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
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8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
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9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
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9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
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10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
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10 My 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.)
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11 and 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.
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11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
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12 Epaphras, 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.
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12 Epaphras, 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.
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13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
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13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
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14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
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14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
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15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
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15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
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16 Now 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.
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16 After 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.
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17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
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17 Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."
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18 This salutation by my own hand--Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
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18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
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| Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New King James Version) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
