Colossians 3:20-4:12

English Standard Version

²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(A)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(B)in everything those who are your earthly masters,^[a] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ^23 (C)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(D)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(E)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(F)You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, treat your bondservants^[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

^2 (G)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(H)with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may ^(I)open to us a door for the word, ^(J)to declare the mystery of Christ, ^(K)on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

^5 (L)Walk in wisdom toward ^(M)outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always ^(N)be gracious, ^(O)seasoned with salt, ^(P)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus will tell you ^(Q)all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant^[c] in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ and with him ^(R)Onesimus, our faithful and ^(S)beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

^10 (T)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark ^(U)the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—^(V)if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called ^(W)Justus. ^(X)These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and ^(Y)they have been a comfort to me. ^12 (Z)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always ^(AA)struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand ^(AB)mature and fully assured in all the will of God.