Colossians 4
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
4 1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At 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, 4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.[a] 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
Final Greetings and Benediction
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant[b] in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[c] and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus 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. 11 And 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. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant[d] 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. 13 For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters[e] in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And 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. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.[f]
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:5 Or opportunity
- Colossians 4:7 Gk slave
- Colossians 4:8 Other authorities read that I may know how you are
- Colossians 4:12 Gk slave
- Colossians 4:15 Gk brothers
- Colossians 4:18 Other ancient authorities add Amen
Colossians 4
Jubilee Bible 2000
4 ¶ Masters, do that which is just and right with your slaves, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 ¶ Persevere in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving,
3 praying also together for us that God would open unto us the door of the word, to speak the mystery of the Christ, for which I am also in bonds,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 ¶ Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, winning the occasion.
6 Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
7 ¶ All my affairs shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother and a faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord,
8 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your affairs and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all the things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellowprisoner, salutes you, and Mark, nephew to Barnabas, (concerning whom ye have received commandments, if he comes unto you, receive him),
11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ, salutes you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand firm, perfect and fulfilled in all the will of God.
13 For I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you and those that are in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren who are in Laodicea and Nymphas and the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to fulfil the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Colossians 4
New Testament for Everyone
4 Here’s a word, too, for masters: do what is just and fair for your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master—in heaven.
The fellowship of prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; keep alert in it, with thanksgiving. 3 While you’re about it, pray for us, too, that God will open in front of us a door for the word, so that we may speak of the mystery of the Messiah—which is why I’m here in chains. 4 Pray that I may speak clearly about it. That’s what I am duty-bound to do.
5 Behave wisely towards outsiders; buy up every opportunity. 6 When you speak, make sure it’s always full of grace, and well flavored with salt! That way you’ll know how to give each person an appropriate answer.
7 Our dear brother Tychicus will tell you all my news. He is a faithful servant, indeed a fellow slave in the Lord. 8 This is why I’m sending him to you—to let you know how things are with us, and to encourage your hearts. 9 I’m also sending Onesimus, who is a dear and faithful brother. He is one of your own number. They will tell you everything that’s going on here.
Greetings from others
10 Aristarchus (who’s in jail with me here) sends you greetings. So does Mark, Barnabas’s nephew. You’ve received instructions about him; if he comes to you, do make him welcome. 11 Jesus Justus sends greetings as well. These three are the only fellow Jews I have among my colleagues working for God’s kingdom, and they have been an encouragement to me.
12 Epaphras, one of your own folk and also one of Messiah Jesus’ slaves, sends you greetings. He’s always struggling in prayer on your behalf, praying that you will stand firm and mature, and have your minds fully settled on everything that God wants you to do. 13 I can bear him witness that he’s gone to a lot of trouble on your behalf, and also on behalf of the family in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends greetings; so too does Demas.
15 Pass my greetings on to the family in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 When this letter has been read to you, make sure it’s read in Laodicea as well; and you, too, should read the letter that will come on to you from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus: “Take care to complete the commission that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I’m signing off in my own hand: PAUL.
Remember the chains I’m wearing.
Grace be with you.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2013, 2020 by Ransom Press International
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.
