King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
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Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
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Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 Withal 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:
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At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
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that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
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Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
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Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
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I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
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and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
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Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions--if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 And 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.
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and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, 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.
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Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
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For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
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Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
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Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 And 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.
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And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
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And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. [Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.]
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I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.