“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
King James Version (KJV)
4:1 Just - According to your contract. Equitable - Even beyond the letter of your contract.
Col 4:1 Final Exhortation SUMMARY OF COLOSSIANS 4: A Charge to Masters. Prayer and Prudence Commended. Tychicus, the Bearer of the Letter, Introduced. Onesimus Commended. Greetings from Brethren at Rome. The Epistle of the Laodiceans. Masters, give to [your] servants. See notes on "Eph 6:9". This verse ought to have been joined to the section of the preceding chapter in which mutual duties are enjoined. It should be remarked that such a charge as this is not found in all the profane writings of antiquity. Even in the pages of the moralists a slave was regarded as a chattel with which the master had a right to deal according to his will. The Christian rule, at once introduced into the church, was for the master to treat his servants as he wished to be treated by his Master in heaven, and to expect the same kind of treatment that he meted out.
Masters, giue vnto your seruants that which is iust and equall, knowing that yee also haue a Master in heauen.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.
- Basic English Bible
Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that *ye* also have a Master in [the] heavens.
- Darby Bible
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- Webster's Bible
Masters, deal justly and equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven.
- Weymouth Bible
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
- World English Bible
Lordis, yyue ye to seruauntis that that is iust and euene, witinge that also ye han a Lord in heuene.
- Wycliffe Bible
The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
- Youngs Literal Bible