Colossians 4

1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in the heavens.

Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving,

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

3 at the same time praying for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ (for which I am also in chains),

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.

4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

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

5 Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

6 Let your word always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer each one.

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

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow slave in the Lord.

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.

8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and encourage your hearts,

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you; they will tell you everything that is happening here.

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

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him),

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.

11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have been a comfort to me.

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.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ, greets you; he is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

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.

13 I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.

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

14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, also Demas.

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

15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the congregation at his house.

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

16 Now when this letter has been read among you, see that it is also read in the Laodicean congregation, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

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.

17 And say to Archippus, “See to it that you complete the work that you received in the Lord.”

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

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

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