Colossians 4
Modern English Version
4 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Exhortations
2 Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving, 3 while praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, wisely using the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus, who is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he might know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything which is happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions: If he comes to you, receive him), 11 and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision. They have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras greets you. He is one of you, a servant of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand mature and complete in the entire will of God. 13 I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you, those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the church which is in his house.
16 When this epistle is read among you, ensure that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you, likewise, read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus, “Make sure that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Colossians 4
International Standard Version
4 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Closing Exhortations
2 Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert[a] and thankful when you pray. 3 At the same time also pray for us—that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah,[b] for which I have been imprisoned. 4 May I reveal it as clearly as I should![c]
5 Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
Greetings from Paul and His Fellow Workers
7 Tychicus will tell you everything that has happened to me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant[d] of the Messiah[e] Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand mature,[f] completely convinced of the entire will of God. 13 For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and be sure to read the one from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus, “See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord.”
Final Greeting
18 This greeting is written with my own signature[g]—“Paul.” Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen.[h]
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:2 Lit. Be alert in it
- Colossians 4:3 Or Christ
- Colossians 4:4 Lit. as I should speak
- Colossians 4:12 Or slave
- Colossians 4:12 Or Christ
- Colossians 4:12 Or complete
- Colossians 4:18 Lit. hand
- Colossians 4:18 Other mss. lack Amen
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
