Colossians 4
Tree of Life Version
4 Masters, give your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Devote Yourselves to Prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, keep praying for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the message, to proclaim the mystery of Messiah—for which I am in prison. 4 Pray that I may make the mystery clear, as I ought to speak. 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer everyone.
Further Instructions and Greetings
7 Tychicus—a dearly loved brother and trustworthy servant and fellow slave to the Lord—will tell you all the news about me. 8 I sent him to you for this very purpose, so you may know about us and he may encourage your hearts. 9 With him I sent Onesimus—a faithful and dear brother, who is one of your own. They will tell you about everything here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You received instructions about him—if he comes your way, welcome him.) 11 Yeshua who is called Justus also sends his greetings. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God that are from among the circumcision—they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of your own, a slave of Messiah Yeshua, greets you. He is always laboring in prayer on your behalf, so you may stand complete and fully assured about everything that is God’s will. 13 For I testify that he has gone to much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, sends you greetings, and so does Demas.
15 Greet the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the community that meets in her house. 16 When this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in Messiah’s community of Laodicea. In turn, you should read my letter coming from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the service you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul’s. Remember my chains!
Grace be with you.
Colossians 4
Living Bible
4 You slave owners must be just and fair to all your slaves. Always remember that you, too, have a Master in heaven who is closely watching you.
2 Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God’s answers, and remember to be thankful when they come. 3 Don’t forget to pray for us too, that God will give us many chances to preach the Good News of Christ for which I am here in jail. 4 Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully and make it plain, as, of course, I should.
5 Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them. 6 Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone.
7 Tychicus, our much-loved brother, will tell you how I am getting along. He is a hard worker and serves the Lord with me. 8 I have sent him on this special trip just to see how you are and to comfort and encourage you. 9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and much-loved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will give you all the latest news.
10 Aristarchus, who is with me here as a prisoner, sends you his love, and so does Mark, a relative of Barnabas. And as I said before, give Mark a hearty welcome[a] if he comes your way. 11 Jesus Justus also sends his love. These are the only Jewish Christians working with me here, and what a comfort they have been!
12 Epaphras, from your city, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love. He is always earnestly praying for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect and to help you know his will in everything you do. 13 I can assure you that he has worked hard for you with his prayers, and also for the Christians in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Dear Doctor Luke sends his love, and so does Demas.
15 Please give my greeting to the Christian friends at Laodicea, and to Nymphas, and to those who meet in his home. 16 By the way, after you have read this letter, will you pass it on to the church at Laodicea? And read the letter I wrote to them. 17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure that you do all the Lord has told you to.”
18 Here is my own greeting in my own handwriting: Remember me here in jail. May God’s blessings surround you.
Sincerely, Paul
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:10 give Mark a hearty welcome, literally, “receive him.”
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.