Colossians 4

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

Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master – in heaven.

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

Devote yourselves to prayer. Give your whole mind to it, and also offer thanksgiving;

3 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,

and at the same time pray for us, so 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 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Then I will make them known, as I ought to do.

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

Show tact in your behaviour to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity.

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

Let your conversation always be kindly, but not bland, season it, as it were, with salt; be aware in each case of the answer you should be giving.

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

Our dear friend, Tychicus, will tell you all about me. He is a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Master’s cause.

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

I send him to you expressly that you may learn our circumstances, and that he may give you encouragement.

9 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.

With him will be Onesimus, our dear faithful friend, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you all that is going on here.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

I can bear testimony to the deep interest he takes in you, as well as in the followers at Laodicea and at Hierapolis.

14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Luke, our dear doctor, sends you his greeting, and Demas sends his.

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

Give my greeting to the followers at Laodicea, and to Nymphe, and to the church that meets at her house.

16 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.

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

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

I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting. Remember these chains of mine. God’s blessing be with you.