Colossians 4
1 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].
and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Pray to God persistently, and as you pray, be alert and be thanking God.
Persevere in prayer, and be watchful in it, with thanksgiving.
3 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.
Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought.
4 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.
Behave yourselves wisely towards them that are without,
5 Act wisely towards those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus [MTY]; use every opportunity to do that.
redeeming the time.
6 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.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with discretion to know how ye ought to answer every one.
7 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.
All things concerning me will Tychicus make known to you, who is a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord:
8 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.)
whom I have sent to you for this purpose also that he may know your affairs, and comfort your hearts;
9 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.
together with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will inform you of all things here.
10 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.
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus nephew to Barnabas, concerning whom ye have received orders; (if he come to you, receive him; ) and Jesus who is called Justus:
11 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.
these are the only persons, who, of the circumcision, have been my fellow-laborers in the kingdom of God, and who were a comfort to me.
12 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.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you; who always strives earnestly for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God:
13 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].
for I bear him witness, that he is very zealous for you, and for those in Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the doctor, whom I/we [(exc)] love, and Demas (say that they are thinking fondly about you/send you their greetings).
Luke the beloved physician, and Demas, greeteth you.
15 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).
Salute the brethren in Laodicea; and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house.
16 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.
And when this letter has been read amongst you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; that ye may also read that from Laodicea.
17 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.”
And say ye to Archippus, Look well to the ministry, which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 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.
The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
