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
1And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.
Pray for Open Doors
2-4Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
5-6Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
7-9My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He’s a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master. I’ve sent him to you so that you would know how things are with us, and so he could encourage you in your faith. And I’ve sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they’ll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.
10-11Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also Mark, cousin of Barnabas (you received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him); and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God’s kingdom. Don’t think they haven’t been a big help!
12-13Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings.
15Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in Laodicea. And get the letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you.
17And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.”
18I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.