Colossians 4
4
1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves because you know that you also have a master in heaven.
Advice for All Christians
2Keep praying. Pay attention when you offer prayers of thanksgiving. 3At the same time also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to speak the word so that we may tell the mystery about Christ. It is because of this mystery that I am a prisoner. 4Pray that I may make this mystery as clear as possible. This is what I have to do.
5Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside ⌞the Christian faith⌟. Make the most of your opportunities.
6Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
Greetings from Paul and His Coworkers
7I’m sending Tychicus to you. He is our dear brother, trustworthy deacon, and partner in the Lord’s work. He will tell you everything that is happening to me. 8I’m sending him to you so that you may know how we are doing and so that he may encourage you. 9I’m sending Onesimus with him. Onesimus is from your city and is our faithful and dear brother. They will tell you about everything that’s happening here.
10Aristarchus, who is a prisoner like me, sends greetings. So does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about Mark. If he comes to you, welcome him. 11Jesus, called Justus, also greets you. They are the only converts from the Jewish religion who are working with me for God’s kingdom. They have provided me with comfort. 12Epaphras, a servant of Christ Jesus from your city, greets you. He always prays intensely for you. He prays that you will continue to be mature and completely convinced of everything that God wants. 13I assure you that he works hard for you and the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14My dear friend Luke, the physician, and Demas greet you. 15Greet our brothers and sisters in Laodicea, especially Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16After you have read this letter, read it in the church at Laodicea. Make sure that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus to complete all the work that he started as the Lord’s servant.
18I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I’m a prisoner. God’s good will #4:18 Or “grace.” be with you.
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Colossians 4: GW
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Colossians 4
4
1 MASTERS, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven. [Lev. 25:43, 53.]
2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
3 And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison;
4 That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty.
5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.
6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].
7 Tychicus will give you full information about my affairs; [he is] a much-loved brother and faithful ministering assistant and fellow servant [with us] in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are faring and that he may comfort and cheer and encourage your hearts.
9 And with [him is] Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of yourselves. They will let you know everything that has taken place here [in Rome].
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner wishes to be remembered to you, as does Mark the relative of Barnabas. You received instructions concerning him; if he comes to you give him a [hearty] welcome.
11 And [greetings also from] Jesus, who is called Justus. These [Hebrew Christians] alone of the circumcision are among my fellow workers for [the extension of] God's kingdom, and they have proved a relief and a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.
13 For I bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for [the believers] in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas salute you.
15 Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the assembly (the church) which meets in her house.
16 And when this epistle has been read before you, [see] that it is read also in the assembly (the church) of the Laodiceans, and also [see] that you yourselves in turn read the [letter that comes to you] from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, See that you discharge carefully [the duties of] the ministry and fulfill the stewardship which you have received in the Lord.
18 I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God's unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it).
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