Colossians 4

1 Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for 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. Give your whole mind to it, and also offer thanksgiving;

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

3 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!

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

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

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

Behave wisely in relation to the outside world, buying up your opportunities.

6 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.

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

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

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 will be Onesimus, our dear faithful friend, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all that is going on 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 his greeting, and Barnabas’s cousin, Mark, sends his. (You have received directions about him. If he comes to you, make him welcome.)

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 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.

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 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.

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 I can bear testimony to the deep interest he takes in you, as well as in the followers at Laodicea and at 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, our dear doctor, sends you his greeting, and Demas sends his.

Luke, the dearly-loved physician, salutes you, and so does Demas.

15 Give my greeting to the followers at Laodicea, and to Nymphe, and to 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 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.

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 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.’

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

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

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