Colossians 4

1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving;

Give yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise;

3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;

4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

So that I may make it clear, as it is right for me to do.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.

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

Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.

7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord.

Tychicus will give you news of all my business: he is a dear brother and true servant and helper in the word;

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

And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may have news of how we are, and so that he may give your hearts comfort;

9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"),

Aristarchus, my brother-prisoner, sends his love to you, and Mark, a relation of Barnabas (about whom you have been given orders: if he comes to you, be kind to him),

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

And Jesus, whose other name is Justus; these are of the circumcision: they are my only brother-workers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.

13 For I testify about him, that he has worked hard for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.

Luke, our well-loved medical friend, and Demas, send you their love.

15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that is in her house.

Give my love to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nymphas and the church in their house.

16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have been given in the Lord."

Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.