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, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

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

2. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it 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. and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison,

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

4. that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.

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

5. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of 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 always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.

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. Tych'icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant 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. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage 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. and with him Ones'imus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place 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. Aristar'chus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions -- if he comes to 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 who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to 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. Ep'aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured 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 witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in La-odice'a and in Hi-erap'olis.

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. Give my greetings to the brethren at La-odice'a, and to Nympha and the church in her 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 letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the La-odice'ans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odice'a.

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

17. And say to Archip'pus, "See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord."

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

18. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you.