King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
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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and pray for us also, 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, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
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Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most 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 every one.
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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Tych'icus will tell you all about my affairs; 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 Ones'imus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. 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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Aristar'chus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions--if he comes to you, receive 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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Ep'aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly 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 La-odice'a and in Hi-erap'olis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
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Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
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 brethren at La-odice'a, 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 read also in the church of the La-odice'ans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odice'a.
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 Archip'pus, "See that you fulfil the ministry which 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 fetters. Grace be with you.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.