Colossians 4

1 You masters, supply your servants with what is just and equitable, knowing that you, too, have a Master in heaven.

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Pursue prayer. Be watchful in prayer with acts of thanksgiving.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

3 Pray together, for us also, so that God may open a door of speech to us, so as to speak the mystery of Christ, (because of which, even now, I am in chains)

praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,

4 so that I may manifest it in the manner that I ought to speak.

that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming this age.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be ever graceful, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to respond to each person.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7 As for the things that concern me, Tychicus, a most beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that he may know the things that concern you, and may console your hearts,

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

9 with Onesimus, a most beloved and faithful brother, who is from among you. They shall make known to you everything that is happening here.

together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, the near cousin of Barnabas, about whom you have received instructions, (if he comes to you, receive him)

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),

11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, and those who are of the circumcision. These alone are my assistants, unto the kingdom of God; they have been a consolation to me.

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras greets you, who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, ever solicitous for you in prayer, so that you may stand, perfect and complete, in the entire will of God.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

13 For I offer testimony to him, that he has labored greatly for you, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for those at Hierapolis.

For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, a most beloved physician, greets you, as does Demas.

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

15 Greet the brothers who are at Laodicea, and Nymphas, and those who are at his house, a church.

Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.

16 And when this epistle has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you should read that which is from the Laodiceans.

When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

17 And tell Archippus: “See to the ministry that you have received in the Lord, in order to fulfill it.”

Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

18 The greeting of Paul by my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace be with you. Amen.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.