Colossians 4
1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Masters, deal justly and fairly with your slaves, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
Be unwearied in prayer, and keep awake in it when giving thanks.
3 as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Keep on praying for me, too, that God may open for me a door of utterance to speak the secret truth of Christ, for which I am a prisoner.
4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
Pray that I may unfold it as I ought to speak.
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward those without, buying up your opportunities.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Let your speech be always gracious, with a savor of salt, and learn how to give every man a fitting answer.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you all that concerns me.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
I have sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, one of your own number, for this very purpose, to let you know how I am, and to cheer your hearts.
9 With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
They will inform you of all that goes on here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, salutes you, and Marcus, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, make him welcome), and Jesus surnamed Justas.
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 been a comfort to me.
These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, belonging to the circumcision, who have been any comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
Epaphras, one of yourselves, salutes you, a slave of Christ who is always agonizing for you in his prayers, that you may stand firm, mature, and fully assured in all the will of God.
13 For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
For I can testify to his deep interest in you and in those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
Luke, the beloved physician, salutes you, and so does Demas.
15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
Salute the brothers in Laodicea; Nympha also, and the church which meets at her house.
16 After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is read also in the church of Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
And tell Archippas to take heed to the ministry which he has received in the Lord, that he may fulfill it.
18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
I, Paul, add this farewell in my own handwriting. Do not forget these chains of mine. Grace be with you.
