Kolossenserne 4
1 I herrer! gjør imot eders tjenere det som rett og rimelig er, for I vet at også I har en herre i himlene!
Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master — in Heaven.
2 Vær vedholdende i bønnen, så I våker i den med takksigelse,
Devote yourselves to prayer. Give your whole mind to it, and also offer thanksgiving;
3 og bed også for oss at Gud må oplate oss en dør for ordet så vi kan forkynne Kristi hemmelighet, den for hvis skyld jeg og er i lenker,
and at the same time pray for us, 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!
4 forat jeg kan åpenbare den således som jeg bør tale.
Then I shall make them known, as I ought to do.
5 Omgåes i visdom med dem som er utenfor, så I kjøper den beleilige tid.
Show tact in your behaviour to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity.
6 Eders tale være alltid tekkelig, krydret med salt, så I vet hvorledes I bør svare enhver.
Let your conversation always be kindly, and seasoned, as it were, with salt; that you may know in each case what answer you ought to give.
7 Hvorledes det går mig, det skal Tykikus fortelle eder alt sammen, han min elskede bror og trofaste hjelper og medtjener i Herren,
Our dear Brother, Tychicus, will tell you all about me. He is a faithful minister, and a fellow-servant in the Master’s cause.
8 som jeg just derfor sender til eder, forat I skal få vite hvorledes det er med oss, og forat han skal trøste eders hjerter,
I send him to you expressly that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may give you encouragement.
9 tillikemed Onesimus, den trofaste og elskede bror, som er fra eders by; de skal fortelle eder alt herfra.
With him will be Onesimus, our dear faithful Brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all that is going on here.
10 Aristarkus, min medfange, hilser eder, og Markus, Barnabas' søskenbarn, som I fikk pålegg om - når han kommer til eder, da ta imot ham -
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.)
11 og Jesus med tilnavnet Justus; iblandt de omskårne er disse de eneste medarbeidere for Guds rike som er blitt mig en trøst.
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.
12 Epafras hilser eder, han som er fra eders by, en Kristi Jesu tjener som alltid strider for eder i sine bønner, at I må stå fullkomne og fullvisse i all Guds vilje;
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.
13 for jeg gir ham det vidnesbyrd at han har meget strev for eder og dem i Laodikea og dem i Hierapolis.
I can bear testimony to the deep interest he takes in you, as well as in the Brethren at Laodicea and at Hierapolis.
14 Lægen Lukas, den elskede, hilser eder, og Demas.
Luke, our dear doctor, sends you his greeting, and Demas sends his.
15 Hils brødrene i Laodikea, og Nymfas og menigheten i hans hus.
Give my greeting to the Brethren at Laodicea, and to Nymphe, and to the Church that meets at her house.
16 Og når dette brev er lest hos eder, da sørg for at det også blir lest i laodikeernes menighet, og at I får lese brevet fra Laodikea!
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.
17 Og si til Arkippus: Gi akt på den tjeneste som du har mottatt i Herren, at du fullbyrder den!
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.’
18 Hilsen med min, Paulus' hånd: Kom mine lenker i hu! Nåden være med eder!
I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting. Remember these chains of mine. God’s blessing be with you.
