Colossians 4
4
1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
An Encouragement for Prayer
2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive#4:6 Greek and seasoned with salt. so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings
7Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
10Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters#4:15 Greek brothers. at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
17And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
Remember my chains.
May God’s grace be with you.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Colossians 4
4
1Masters,#Eph. 6:9 give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2#Luke 18:1Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it #Col. 2:7with thanksgiving; 3#Eph. 6:19meanwhile praying also for us, that God would #1 Cor. 16:9open to us a door for the word, to speak #Eph. 3:3, 4; 6:19the mystery of Christ, #Eph. 6:20for which I am also in chains, 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5#Eph. 5:15Walk in #(Matt. 10:16)wisdom toward those who are outside, #Eph. 5:16redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be #Eccl. 10:12with grace, #Mark 9:50seasoned with salt, #1 Pet. 3:15that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings
7#Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8#Eph. 6:22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9with #Philem. 10Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10#Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philem. 24Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with #Acts 15:37; 2 Tim. 4:11Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12#Col. 1:7; Philem. 23Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always #Rom. 15:30laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand #Matt. 5:48; 1 Cor. 2:6perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14#2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24Luke the beloved physician and #2 Tim. 4:10Demas greet you. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and #Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19the church that is in his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16Now when #1 Thess. 5:27; 2 Thess. 3:14this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17And say to #Philem. 2Archippus, “Take heed to #1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:5the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18#1 Cor. 16:21; 2 Thess. 3:17This salutation by my own hand—Paul. #Heb. 13:3Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.