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, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master – in heaven.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

Devote yourselves to prayer. Give your whole mind to it, and also offer thanksgiving;

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.

and at the same time pray for us, so that God may give us an opening for our message, so that we may speak of the truths hidden in the Christ – the truths for which I am in chains!

4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

Then I will make them known, as I ought to do.

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

Show tact in your behavior to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity.

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Let your conversation always be kindly, but not bland, season it, as it were, with salt; be aware in each case of the answer you should be giving.

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.

Our dear friend, Tychicus, will tell you all about me. He is a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Master’s cause.

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 send him to you expressly that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may give you encouragement.

9 With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

With him will be Onesimus, our dear faithful friend, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all that is going 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.

My fellow prisoner, Aristarchus, sends you his greeting, and Barnabas’s cousin, Mark, sends his. (You have received directions about him. If he comes to you, make him welcome.)

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.

Joshua, who is called Justus, also sends his greeting. These are the only converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the kingdom of God; I have found them a great comfort.

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, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God’s will.

13 For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

I can bear testimony to the deep interest he takes in you, as well as in the followers at Laodicea and at Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.

Luke, our dear doctor, sends you his greeting, and Demas sends his.

15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

Give my greeting to the followers at Laodicea, and to Nymphe, and to the church that 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 also read before the church at Laodicea, and that you yourselves read the letter which will be forwarded from there.

17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

Give this message to Archippus – ‘Take care to discharge to the best of your ability the office to which you were appointed in the Master’s cause.’

18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting. Remember these chains of mine. God’s blessing be with you.