Colossians 3:18-4

New Testament for Everyone

The Christian household

¹⁸ Now a word for wives: you should be subject to your husbands. This is appropriate in the Lord. ¹⁹ And for husbands: you should treat your wives with love, and not be bitter with them. ²⁰ And for children: obey your parents in everything; this pleases the Lord. ²¹ And for fathers: don’t provoke your children to anger, otherwise they might lose heart.

²² A word, too, for slaves: obey your earthly masters in everything. Don’t do it simply out of show, to curry favor with human beings, but wholeheartedly, because you fear the Master. ²³ Whatever you do, give it your very best, as if you were working for the Master and not for human beings. ²⁴ After all, you know that you’re going to receive the true inheritance from the Master as your reward! It is the Master, the Messiah, that you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be paid back for wrongdoing, and there will be no favorites.

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.