Colossians 4
Wycliffe Bible
4 Lords, give ye to servants that that is just and even, witting that also ye have a Lord in heaven.
2 Be ye busy in prayer, and wake in it, in doing of thankings;
3 and pray each for other, and for us [praying together and for us], that God open to us the door of word, to speak the mystery of Christ; for which also I am bound,
4 that I show it, so as it behooveth me to speak.
5 Walk ye in wisdom to them that be withoutforth, again-buying time.
6 Your word be savoured with salt evermore in grace; that ye know, how it behooveth you to answer to each man.
7 Tychicus, most dear brother, and faithful minister, and my fellow in the Lord [and even-servant in the Lord], shall make all things known to you, that be about me.
8 Whom I sent to you to this same thing [Whom I sent to you to the same thing], that he know what things be about you, and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, most dear and faithful brother, which is of you; which shall make all things that be done here [that shall make all things that be done here], known to you.
10 Aristarchus, prisoner with me [mine even-captive, or prisoner with me], greeteth you well, and Marcus, the cousin of Barnabas, of whom ye have taken commandments; if he come to you, receive ye him;
11 and Jesus, that is said Justus; which be of circumcision; they alone be mine helpers in the kingdom of God, that were to me in solace.
12 Epaphras, that is of you, the servant of Jesus Christ, greeteth you well; ever busy for you in prayers, that ye stand perfect and full in all the will of God.
13 And I bear witnessing to him, that he hath much travail for you, and for them that be at Laodicea, and that be at Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the physician most dear [the leech most dear], and Demas, greet you well.
15 Greet ye well the brethren that be at Laodicea, and the woman Nymphas, and the church that is in her house [and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house].
16 And when this epistle is read among you, do ye, that it be read in the church of Laodiceans; and read ye that epistle that is of Laodiceans.
17 And say ye to Archippus, See the ministry, that thou hast taken in the Lord, that thou fill it [that thou fulfill it].
18 My salutation, by the hand of Paul. Be ye mindful of my bonds. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Colossians 4
New Matthew Bible
4 1 You masters, be just and fair to your servants, seeing you know that you also have a master in heaven.
He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer, to walk wisely with regard to persons who have not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ, and greets them.
2 Continue in prayer, and keep vigil in the same with thanksgiving, 3 praying also for us: that God would open for us the door of utterance so that we may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4 that I may speak it as it behoves me to do.
5 Walk wisely toward those who are without, and redeem the time. 6 Let your speech be always with grace and powdered with salt, so that you may know how to answer every person.
7 The dear brother Tychicus can tell you about all my affairs. He is a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, 8 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, and to find out how you are doing, and to encourage your hearts. 9 With him is Onesimus, a faithful and a beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything that is happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you; as does Mark, the son of Barnabas’ sister, concerning whom you received instructions (if he comes to you, receive him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and were to me a consolation.
12 Epaphras, the servant of Christ who is one of you, greets you, and always labours fervently for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and full in all that is the will of God. 13 I can attest that he has a fervent mind toward you, and toward the people of Laodicea and of Hieropolis.
14 Dear Luke the physician greets you, and Demas.
15 Greet the brethren who are of Laodicea, and greet Nymphas and the congregation that is in his house. 16 And when the epistle has been read by you, ensure that it is read in the congregation of the Laodiceans also, and that you likewise read the Laodiceans’ epistle. 17 And say to Archippus: Take heed to the office that you have received in the Lord, to fulfil it.
18 The greeting by the hand of me, Paul.
Remember my bonds. Grace
be with you.
Amen.
Sent from Rome by the hand
of Tychicus and
Onesimus.
Colossians 4
1599 Geneva Bible
4 2 He returneth to general exhortations, 3 touching prayer and gracious speech, 7and so endeth with greetings and commendations.
1 Ye masters, do unto your servants, that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
2 (A)[a][b]Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving,
3 (B)[c]Praying also for us, that God may open unto us the [d]door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ: wherefore I am also in bonds,
4 That I may utter it, as it becometh me to speak.
5 ¶ (C)[e]Walk [f]wisely toward them that are without, and redeem the [g]season.
6 [h]Let your speech be [i]gracious always, and powdered with [j]salt, that ye may know how to answer every man.
7 ¶ Tychicus our beloved brother and faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, shall declare unto you my whole state:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your state, and might comfort your hearts,
9 With Onesimus a faithful and a beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall show you of all things here.
10 Aristarchus my prison fellow saluteth you, and Marcus, Barnabas’s cousin (touching whom ye received commandments: If he come unto you, receive him.)
11 And Jesus which is called Justus, which are of the circumcision. These [k]only are my work-fellows unto the [l]kingdom of God, which have been unto my consolation.
12 Epaphras the servant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and always striveth for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and for them of Laodicea, and them of Hierapolis,
14 (D)Luke the beloved physician greeteth you, and Demas.
15 Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Church which is in his house.
16 And when this Epistle is read of you, cause that it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans also, and that ye likewise read the Epistle written from Laodicea,
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry, that thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bands. Grace be with you, Amen.
¶ Written from Rome to the Colossians, and sent by Tychicus, and Onesimus.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:2 He addeth certain general exhortations and at length endeth his Epistle with divers familiar and godly salutations.
- Colossians 4:2 Prayers must be continual and earnest.
- Colossians 4:3 Such as minister the word, must especially be commended to the prayers of the Church.
- Colossians 4:3 An open and free mouth to preach the Gospel.
- Colossians 4:5 In all parts of our life, we ought to have good consideration even of them which are without the Church.
- Colossians 4:5 Advisedly and circumspectly.
- Colossians 4:5 Seek occasion to win them, although you lose of your own by it.
- Colossians 4:6 Our speech and talk must be applied to the profit of the hearers.
- Colossians 4:6 Framed to the profit of your neighbor.
- Colossians 4:6 Against this is set filthy communication, as Eph. 4:29.
- Colossians 4:11 Why then, Peter was not at that time at Rome.
- Colossians 4:11 In the Gospel.
Colossians 4
Authorized (King James) Version
4 1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 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 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 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 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.
Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.