Colossenes 4
1 Domini, quod justum est et æquum, servis præstate: scientes quod et vos Dominum habetis in cælo.
You masters, treat your servants in a way that is right and fair, recognizing that you too have a Master in heaven.
2 Orationi instate, vigilantes in ea in gratiarum actione:
Remember to keep on praying, with an alert and thankful mind!
3 orantes simul et pro nobis, ut Deus aperiat nobis ostium sermonis ad loquendum mysterium Christi (propter quod etiam vinctus sum),
Pray for us too that God may open a door of opportunity to spread the message, to tell about the revealed mystery of Christ—which is the reason I'm here in prison.
4 ut manifestem illud ita ut oportet me loqui.
Pray that I may make it as clear as I should when I speak.
5 In sapientia ambulate ad eos, qui foris sunt: tempus redimentes.
Behave wisely with outsiders, making the best use of every opportunity.
6 Sermo vester semper in gratia sale sit conditus, ut sciatis quomodo oporteat vos unicuique respondere.
Always be gracious when you speak. Make sure it's in good taste, and think about how best to answer everyone.
7 Quæ circa me sunt, omnia vobis nota faciet Tychicus, carissimus frater, et fidelis minister, et conservus in Domino:
Tychicus will tell you all about what's happening to me. He's a dear brother, a trustworthy minister and co-worker in the Lord.
8 quem misi ad vos ad hoc ipsum, ut cognoscat quæ circa vos sunt, et consoletur corda vestra,
I'm sending him to you for this very reason—so that you'll know how things are with me and this will cheer you up.
9 cum Onesimo carissimo, et fideli fratre, qui ex vobis est. Omnia, quæ hic aguntur, nota facient vobis.
Onesimus is going with him too, a trusted and dear brother, who's one of you. They'll explain to you everything that's going on here.
10 Salutat vos Aristarchus concaptivus meus, et Marcus consobrinus Barnabæ, de quo accepistis mandata: si venerit ad vos, excipite illum:
Aristarchus who's with me here in prison sends his best wishes; likewise Mark, Barnabas' cousin (you've already had instructions to welcome him if he visits you),
11 et Jesus, qui dicitur Justus: qui sunt ex circumcisione: hi soli sunt adjutores mei in regno Dei, qui mihi fuerunt solatio.
and Jesus—also called Justus—who are the only Jewish Christians among those working with me here for the kingdom of God, men who have been a great help to me.
12 Salutat vos Epaphras, qui ex vobis est, servus Christi Jesu, semper sollicitus pro vobis in orationibus, ut stetis perfecti, et pleni in omni voluntate Dei.
Epaphras who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He's always passionate in his prayers on your behalf, praying that you'll stand firm as grown-up Christians, totally convinced about everything as God would want.
13 Testimonium enim illi perhibeo quod habet multum laborem pro vobis, et pro iis qui sunt Laodiciæ, et qui Hierapoli.
For the record I can tell you that he's done a lot for you, and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis as well.
14 Salutat vos Lucas, medicus carissimus, et Demas.
Luke, our dear doctor, and Demas also send their best.
15 Salutate fratres, qui sunt Laodiciæ, et Nympham, et quæ in domo ejus est, ecclesiam.
Greet the believers that are in Laodicea—Nympha too, and the church that meets in her house.
16 Et cum lecta fuerit apud vos epistola hæc, facite ut et in Laodicensium ecclesia legatur: et eam, quæ Laodicensium est, vos legatis.
And when this letter has been read to you, make sure it's read to the church in Laodicea too, and that you also read the letter sent to Laodicea.
17 Et dicite Archippo: Vide ministerium, quod accepisti in Domino, ut illud impleas.
Tell Archippus, “See that you follow through in doing the ministry God gave you.”
18 Salutatio, mea manu Pauli. Memores estote vinculorum meorum. Gratia vobiscum. Amen.
I Paul write my closing greetings with my own hand. Remember I'm in prison. Grace be with you.
