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.

Maîtres, accordez à vos serviteurs ce qui est juste et équitable, sachant que vous aussi vous avez un maître dans le ciel.

Persévérez dans la prière, veillez-y avec actions de grâces.

Priez en même temps pour nous, afin que Dieu nous ouvre une porte pour la parole, en sorte que je puisse annoncer le mystère de Christ, pour lequel je suis dans les chaînes,

et le faire connaître comme je dois en parler.

Conduisez-vous avec sagesse envers ceux du dehors, et rachetez le temps.

Que votre parole soit toujours accompagnée de grâce, assaisonnée de sel, afin que vous sachiez comment il faut répondre à chacun.

Tychique, le bien-aimé frère et le fidèle ministre, mon compagnon de service dans le Seigneur, vous communiquera tout ce qui me concerne.

Je l'envoie exprès vers vous, pour que vous connaissiez notre situation, et pour qu'il console vos coeurs.

Je l'envoie avec Onésime, le fidèle et bien-aimé frère, qui est des vôtres. Ils vous informeront de tout ce qui se passe ici.

10 Aristarque, mon compagnon de captivité, vous salue, ainsi que Marc, le cousin de Barnabas, au sujet duquel vous avez reçu des ordres (s'il va chez vous, accueillez-le);

11 Jésus, appelé Justus, vous salue aussi. Ils sont du nombre des circoncis, et les seuls qui aient travaillé avec moi pour le royaume de Dieu, et qui aient été pour moi une consolation.

12 Épaphras, qui est des vôtres, vous salue: serviteur de Jésus Christ, il ne cesse de combattre pour vous dans ses prières, afin que, parfaits et pleinement persuadés, vous persistiez dans une entière soumission à la volonté de Dieu.

13 Car je lui rends le témoignage qu'il a une grande sollicitude pour vous, pour ceux de Laodicée et pour ceux d'Hiérapolis.

14 Luc, le médecin bien-aimé, vous salue, ainsi que Démas.

15 Saluez les frères qui sont à Laodicée, et Nymphas, et l'Église qui est dans sa maison.

16 Lorsque cette lettre aura été lue chez vous, faites en sorte qu'elle soit aussi lue dans l'Église des Laodicéens, et que vous lisiez à votre tour celle qui vous arrivera de Laodicée.

17 Et dites à Archippe: Prends garde au ministère que tu as reçu dans le Seigneur, afin de le bien remplir.

18 Je vous salue, moi Paul, de ma propre main. Souvenez-vous de mes liens. Que la grâce soit avec vous!

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

Devote yourselves to prayer,(B) being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(E) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;(G) make the most of every opportunity.(H) Let your conversation be always full of grace,(I) seasoned with salt,(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(K)

Final Greetings

Tychicus(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a](M) in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(N) He is coming with Onesimus,(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(R) the cousin of Barnabas.(S) (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[c] among my co-workers(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(U) who is one of you(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(X) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(Y) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(Z) the doctor, and Demas(AA) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AC)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AF)

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AG) Remember(AH) my chains.(AI) Grace be with you.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
  2. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
  3. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group