Colossians 4

1 MASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Give yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

So that I may make it clear, as it is right for me to do.

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.

7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Tychicus will give you news of all my business: he is a dear brother and true servant and helper in the word;

8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may have news of how we are, and so that he may give your hearts comfort;

9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him; )

Aristarchus, my brother-prisoner, sends his love to you, and Mark, a relation of Barnabas (about whom you have been given orders: if he comes to you, be kind to him),

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

And Jesus, whose other name is Justus; these are of the circumcision: they are my only brother-workers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.

13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Luke, our well-loved medical friend, and Demas, send you their love.

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Give my love to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nymphas and the church in their house.

16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea.

17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus. THE

I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.