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 equitably with your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in Heaven.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

Be earnest and unwearied in prayer, being on the alert in it and in your giving of 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.

And pray at the same time for us also, that God may open for us a door for preaching, for us to tell the truth concerning Christ for the sake of which I am even a prisoner.

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

Then I shall proclaim it fully, as it is my duty to do.

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

Behave wisely in relation to the outside world, 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 language be always seasoned with the salt of grace, so that you may know 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, our much-loved brother, a trusty assistant and fellow servant with us in the Lord's work, will give you every information about 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.

And for this very purpose I send him to you that you may know how we are faring; and that he may 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.

And with him I send our dear and trusty brother Onesimus, who is one of yourselves. They will inform you of everything 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 sends greeting to you, and so does Barnabas's cousin Mark. You have received instructions as to him; if he comes to you, give him a 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.

Jesus, called Justus, also sends greeting. These three are Hebrew converts. They alone among such have worked loyally with me for the Kingdom of God--they are men who have been a 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, who is one of yourselves, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, sends greetings to you, always wrestling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand firm--Christians of ripe character and of clear conviction as to everything which is God's will.

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

For I can bear witness to the deep interest he takes in you and in the brethren at Laodicea and in those at Hierapolis.

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

Luke, the dearly-loved 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.

Christian greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, especially to Nymphas, and to the Church that meets at their 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 among you, let it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans, and you in turn must read the one I am sending to Laodicea.

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

And tell Archippus to discharge carefully the duties devolving upon him as a servant of the Lord.

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

I Paul add with my own hand this final greeting. Be mindful of me in my imprisonment. Grace be with you.