Colossians 3:18-4
New International Version
Instructions for Christian Households(A)
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(B) as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers,[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(C) from the Lord as a reward.(D) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(E)
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(F) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(G) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(H) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(I) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(J) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(K) in the way you act toward outsiders;(L) make the most of every opportunity.(M) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(N) seasoned with salt,(O) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(P)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus(Q) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[b](R) in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[c] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(S) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(T) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(U) They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(V) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(W) the cousin of Barnabas.(X) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[d] among my co-workers(Y) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(Z) who is one of you(AA) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(AB) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(AC) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(AD) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(AE) the doctor, and Demas(AF) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AG) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AH)
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AI) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus:(AJ) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AK)
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AL) Remember(AM) my chains.(AN) Grace be with you.(AO)
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
- Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
- Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
- Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
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