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.
You masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you have a master who is in heaven [who will say whether he approves of what you have done].
2 Unto prayer, be devoting yourselves, watching therein with thanksgiving:
Pray to God persistently, and as you pray, be alert and be thanking God.
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,
Since I am in prison [MTY] because [I declared the message about Christ] that God has now revealed, pray also for me that God will give me opportunities [MTY] to speak, in order that I might declare it.
4 That I may make it manifest as behoveth me to speak.
That is, pray for me that [God will enable me to] make his message known publicly. I need to do this because I know that I should declare it.
5 In wisdom, be walking towards them who are without, —the opportunity, buying out for yourselves,
Act wisely towards those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus [MTY]; use every opportunity to do that.
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.
In particular, always speak graciously and in a pleasant way [to those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus]. As a result, you will come to know in what manner you should answer each one of them.
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 that has been happening to me. He is a fellow believer whom I/we [(exc)] love and who helps me faithfully and who serves the Lord [Jesus] together with me.
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:
The reason that I am sending Tychicus to you [with this letter] is that he might know how you are and in order that he might strengthen you [spiritually]. (OR, in order that you might know about us [(exc)] and in order that he might comfort you.)
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.
I am sending him to you with Onesimus, who is a faithful fellow believer whom I/we [(inc)] love and who is your fellow townsman. They will tell you all about what has been 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, who is in prison with me, and Mark, who is Barnabas’ cousin, (say that they are thinking fondly about you/send you their greetings). I have instructed you about Mark, so 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 also called Justus, also (says that he is thinking fondly about you/greets you/sends you his greetings). These three men are the only Jewish [believers] who are working with me in order that people would submit to God as their king, and they have all comforted 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 your fellow townsman and who serves Christ Jesus, (says that he is thinking fondly about you/greets you/sends you his greetings). Epaphras prays earnestly for you very often, that you might be spiritually mature and that you might know fully all that God wills for you.
13 For I bear him witness, that he hath great toil in behalf of you, and them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
I can assure you that he prays this because he is deeply concerned for you, for those who live in Laodicea [city], and for those who live in Hierapolis [city].
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, salute you.
Luke, the doctor, whom I/we [(exc)] love, and Demas (say that they are thinking fondly about you/send you their greetings).
15 Salute ye the brethren, in Laodicea, also Nymphas, and the assembly, which meeteth at her house.
Tell the fellow believers who live in Laodicea [city] and Nympha and the congregation that [meets] in her house that we (are thinking fondly about them/send them our greetings).
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 [someone] reads this letter [publicly] to you, cause [someone] to also read it to the congregation that is in Laodicea [city]. And as for the [letter that I wrote to the congregation that is in] Laodicea [city], make sure that it is also read among you {you should also read that letter} publicly.
17 And say to Archippus: be taking heed unto the ministry which thou hast accepted in the Lord, —that, the same, thou fulfil.
Say to Archippus, “Make sure that you complete the task that God appointed you to do, because you have a close relationship with the Lord Jesus.”
18 The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand: —keep in mind my bonds. Favour be with you!
I, Paul, (am thinking fondly about you/send you my greetings). Having taken the pen from my scribe, I am now writing this myself in order that you may know that I have truly sent this letter. Remember to pray about the fact that I am in prison [MTY]. I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ would continue to act graciously towards you all.
