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 to slaves what is right and fair. You know that you also have a master in heaven.

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

Continue steadfastly in prayer. Stay alert in it in thanksgiving.

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:

Pray together for us also, that God would open a door for the word, to speak the secret truth of Christ. Because of this, I am chained up.

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

Pray that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.

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

Walk in wisdom toward those outside, and redeem 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 words always be with grace. Let them be seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

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

As for the things concerning me, Tychicus will make them known to you. He is a beloved brother, a faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord.

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

I sent him to you for this, that you might know the matters about us, and so that he may encourage your hearts.

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.

I sent him together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that has happened 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 fellow prisoner, greets you, as well as Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received orders; if he comes to you, receive 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 also Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They 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 greets you. He is one of you and a slave of Christ Jesus. He always strives for you in prayer, so that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will 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 bear witness of him, that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

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

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

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

Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the church that is in her 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.

When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and see that you also read 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, “Look to the ministry that you have received in the Lord, that you should fulfill it.”

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen.

This greeting is with my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. May grace be with you.