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

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Speaking to God and Others

Devote yourselves(A) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

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Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

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Further Instructions

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;

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

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

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Masters,(A) supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Speaking to God and Others

Devote yourselves(B) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door(C) to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah,(D) for which I am in prison,(E) so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.(F) Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt,(G) so that you may know how you should answer each person.(H)

Christian Greetings

Tychicus,(I) our dearly loved brother, faithful(J) servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[a] and so that he may encourage(K) your hearts.(L) He is with Onesimus,(M) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark,(N) Barnabas’s(O) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(P) who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending(Q) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured[b] in everything God wills.(R) 13 For I testify about him that he works hard[c](S) for you, for those in Laodicea,(T) and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas(U) greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.(V) 16 When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus,(W) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”(X)

18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my imprisonment.(Y) Grace be with you.[d](Z)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:8 Other mss read that he may know how you are
  2. Colossians 4:12 Other mss read and complete
  3. Colossians 4:13 Other mss read he has a great zeal
  4. Colossians 4:18 Other mss add Amen.

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

Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, [d]redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts; together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him), 11 and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a [e]servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you. 15 Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and [f]Nymphas, and the church that is in [g]their house. 16 And when [h]this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

18 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:1 Greek Lords.
  2. Colossians 4:1 Greek bondservants.
  3. Colossians 4:1 Greek equality.
  4. Colossians 4:5 Greek buying up the opportunity.
  5. Colossians 4:12 Greek bondservant.
  6. Colossians 4:15 The Greek may represent Nympha.
  7. Colossians 4:15 Some ancient authorities read her.
  8. Colossians 4:16 Greek the.

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

Further Instructions

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 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, that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.

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

Final Greetings and Benediction

Tych′icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 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 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 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 Ep′aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant[a] 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 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 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brethren at La-odice′a, 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 La-odice′ans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odice′a. 17 And say to Archip′pus, “See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”

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

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:12 Or slave