Colossians, 4

1. Masters, make sure that your slaves are given what is upright and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

1. Masters, give unto [your] servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

2. Be persevering in your prayers and be thankful as you stay awake to pray.

2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3. Pray for us especially, asking God to throw open a door for us to announce the message and proclaim the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am in chains;

3. Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4. pray that I may proclaim it as clearly as I ought.

4. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5. Act wisely with outsiders, making the best of the present time.

5. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

6. Always talk pleasantly and with a flavour of wit but be sensitive to the kind of answer each one requires.

6. Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

7. Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a very dear brother, and a trustworthy helper and companion in the service of the Lord.

7. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, [who is] a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

8. I am sending him to you precisely for this purpose: to give you news about us and to encourage you thoroughly.

8. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

9. With him I am sending Onesimus, that dear and trustworthy brother who is a fellow-citizen of yours. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

9. With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known unto you all things which [are done] here.

10. Aristarchus, who is here in prison with me, sends his greetings, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas -- you were sent some instructions about him; if he comes to you, give him a warm welcome-

10. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

11. and Jesus Justus adds his greetings. Of all those who have come over from the circumcision, these are the only ones actually working with me for the kingdom of God. They have been a great comfort to me.

11. And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only [are my] fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

12. Epaphras, your fellow-citizen, sends his greetings; this servant of Christ Jesus never stops battling for you, praying that you will never lapse but always hold perfectly and securely to the will of God.

12. Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

13. I can testify for him that he works hard for you, as well as for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

13. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them [that are] in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

14. Greetings from my dear friend Luke, the doctor, and also from Demas.

14. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

15. Please give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church which meets in her house.

15. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

16. After this letter has been read among you, send it on to be read in the church of the Laodiceans; and get the letter from Laodicea for you to read yourselves.

16. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the [epistle] from Laodicea.

17. Give Archippus this message, 'Remember the service that the Lord assigned to you, and try to carry it out.'

17. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

18. This greeting is in my own hand-PAUL. Remember the chains I wear. Grace be with you.

18. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen. <[Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.]>