< Colossians 4 >

1 Ye masters! that which is just and equitable, unto your servants, be rendering, knowing that, ye also, have a Master in heaven.
Masters, treat your slaves with justice and equity, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Unto prayer, be devoting yourselves, watching therein with thanksgiving:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 Praying, at the same time, for us also, —that, God, would open unto us a door for the word, so that we may speak the sacred secret of the Christ—for the sake of which also I am in bonds,
At the same time pray for us as well, that God may open a door to us for the word so that we may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 That I may make it manifest as behoveth me to speak.
Pray that I may make it known in the way that I ought to speak.
5 In wisdom, be walking towards them who are without, —the opportunity, buying out for yourselves,
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Your discourse being always with benefit, with salt, seasoned, —that ye may know how it behoveth you, unto each one, to be making answer.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.
7 All the things which relate unto myself, shall Tychicus make known unto you—the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord,
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is our beloved brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 Whom I have sent unto you, to this very end, —that ye may get to know the things which concern us, and he may encourage you hearts:
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he may know how you are doing and encourage your hearts.
9 Together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is from among you: —all things, unto you, will they make known, that [are taking place] here.
With him I have sent Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, saluteth you; and Mark, the first cousin of Barnabas, —concerning whom ye have received commands—if he come unto you, give him welcome;
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and so does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).
11 And Jesus, he that is called Justus, —they being of the circumcision; these only, [are my] fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men who have been, unto me, a comfort.
Jesus who is called Justus also greets you. These men are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, —at all times, contending in your behalf in his prayers, that ye may be caused to stand complete and fully assured in everything willed by God;
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ, greets you, always striving for you in his prayers, so that you may stand mature and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness, that he hath great toil in behalf of you, and them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
For I testify about him that he has much zeal for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and so does Demas.
15 Salute ye the brethren, in Laodicea, also Nymphas, and the assembly, which meeteth at her house.
Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the church that meets in his house.
16 And, as soon as the epistle hath been read amongst you, cause that, in the assembly of Laodiceans also, it be read; and, that from Laodicea, that, ye also, read.
After this letter has been read among you, have it read in the church of the Laodiceans as well, and make sure you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus: be taking heed unto the ministry which thou hast accepted in the Lord, —that, the same, thou fulfil.
Tell Archippus, “Be sure to complete the ministry yoʋ have received in the Lord.”
18 The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand: —keep in mind my bonds. Favour be with you!
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

< Colossians 4 >