Colossians 4
4
1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you yourselves have a master in heaven.
2Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray for us also. Pray that God would open a door for the word so we can preach the secret plan#4.3 Or mystery of Christ—which is why I’m in chains. 4Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach. 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.
Final greeting
7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will inform you about everything that has happened to me. 8This is why I sent him to you, so that you’ll know all about us and so he can encourage your hearts. 9I sent him with Onesimus, our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know about everything here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, says hello to you. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (you received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him). 11Jesus, called Justus, also says hello. These are my only fellow workers for God’s kingdom who are Jewish converts. They have been an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. He’s a slave of Christ Jesus who always wrestles for you in prayers so that you will stand firm and be fully mature and complete in the entire will of God. 13I can vouch for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas say hello.
15Say hello to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, along with Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16After this letter has been read to you publicly, make sure that the church in Laodicea reads it and that you read the one from Laodicea. 17And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry that you received in the Lord.”
18I, Paul, am writing this greeting personally. Remember that I’m in prison. Grace be with you.
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Colossians 4: CEB
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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Colossians 4
4
1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
5Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.#4.5 Or opportunity 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
Final Greetings and Benediction
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant#4.7 Gk slave in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are#4.8 Other authorities read that I may know how you are and that he may encourage your hearts; 9he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. 11And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant#4.12 Gk slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters#4.15 Gk brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.#4.18 Other ancient authorities add Amen
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.