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)