14 (A)The wisest of women (B)builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands (C)tears it down.
Whoever (D)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is (E)devious in his ways despises him.
By the mouth of a fool comes (F)a rod for his back,[a]
    (G)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
(H)A faithful witness does not lie,
    but (I)a false witness breathes out lies.
(J)A scoffer seeks wisdom (K)in vain,
    but (L)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.
(M)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.[b]
10 The heart knows its own (N)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (O)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (P)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but (Q)its end is the way to death.[c]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and (R)the end of joy may be (S)grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (T)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and (U)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 (V)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 (W)One who is wise is cautious[d] and (X)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of (Y)quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 (Z)The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (AA)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    (AB)but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever (AC)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but (AD)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who (AE)devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet[e] (AF)steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk (AG)tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who (AH)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has (AI)strong confidence,
    and (AJ)his children will have (AK)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (AL)a fountain of life,
    that one may (AM)turn away from the snares of death.
28 In (AN)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
    but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is (AO)slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil[f] heart gives (AP)life to the flesh,
    but (AQ)envy[g] makes (AR)the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man (AS)insults his (AT)Maker,
    (AU)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 (AV)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but (AW)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom (AX)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[h]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has (AY)the king's favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
  2. Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
  3. Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death
  4. Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]
  5. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  6. Proverbs 14:30 Or healing
  7. Proverbs 14:30 Or jealousy
  8. Proverbs 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools

14 The wise woman builds her house,(A)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(B)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(C)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(D) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(E)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(F)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(G)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(H)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(I)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(J)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(K)
    but in the end it leads to death.(L)

13 Even in laughter(M) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(N)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(O)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(P)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(Q)
    but a fool(R) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(S) does foolish things,(T)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(U)

18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(V)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(W)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(X)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(Y)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(Z)
    But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(AA)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(AB)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(AC)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(AD)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(AE)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(AF)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(AG)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(AH)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(AI)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(AJ)

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(AK)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(AL)

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(AM)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(AN)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(AO)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(AP)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(AQ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  2. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

The Ark Brought from Kiriath-Jearim

13 David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brothers (A)who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, (B)for we did not seek it[a] in the days of Saul.” All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

Uzzah and the Ark

(C)So David assembled all Israel (D)from the (E)Nile[b] of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God (F)from Kiriath-jearim. (G)And David and all Israel went up to (H)Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who (I)sits enthroned above the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of (J)Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio[c] were driving the cart. And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and (K)lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.

And when they came to the threshing floor of (L)Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down (M)because he put out his hand to the ark, and (N)he died there before God. 11 And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza[d] to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13 So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house (O)of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. (P)And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.

David's Wives and Children

14 (Q)And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. (R)These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: (S)Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, (T)Beeliada and (U)Eliphelet.

Philistines Defeated

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and (V)made a raid in the (W)Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11 And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through[e] my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 12 And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.

13 And the Philistines yet again (X)made a raid in the valley. 14 And when David again inquired of God, (Y)God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 16 And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the (Z)fear of him upon all nations.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

15 David[f] built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and (AA)pitched a tent for it. Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry (AB)the ark of God, for the Lord had chosen them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister to him forever. (AC)And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord (AD)to its place, which he had prepared for it. And David gathered together the sons of Aaron and (AE)the Levites: of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, with 120 of his brothers; of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, with 220 of his brothers; of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, with 130 of his brothers; of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, with 200 of his brothers; of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, with 80 of his brothers; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, with 112 of his brothers. 11 Then David summoned the priests (AF)Zadok and (AG)Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites. (AH)Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, (AI)to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 (AJ)Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders (AK)with the poles, (AL)as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.

16 David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on (AM)musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. 17 So the Levites appointed (AN)Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers (AO)Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, (AP)Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. 19 The singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, (AQ)Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to (AR)Alamoth; 21 but Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, (AS)Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead with lyres according to (AT)the Sheminith. 22 Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should (AU)blow the trumpets before the ark of God. (AV)Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

25 (AW)So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of (AX)Obed-edom with rejoicing. 26 And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed (AY)seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers. And David wore a linen ephod. 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, to the sound of the horn, (AZ)trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on (BA)harps and lyres.

29 And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 13:3 Or him
  2. 1 Chronicles 13:5 Hebrew Shihor
  3. 1 Chronicles 13:7 Or and his brother
  4. 1 Chronicles 13:11 Perez-uzza means the breaking out against Uzzah
  5. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal-perazim means Lord of breaking through
  6. 1 Chronicles 15:1 Hebrew He

Bringing Back the Ark(A)

13 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us,(B) for we did not inquire(C) of[a] it[b] during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

So David assembled all Israel,(D) from the Shihor River(E) in Egypt to Lebo Hamath,(F) to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.(G) David and all Israel went to Baalah(H) of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim(I)—the ark that is called by the Name.

They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s(J) house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.(K)

When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger(L) burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down(M) because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

11 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.[c](N)

12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” 13 He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom(O) the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household(P) and everything he had.

David’s House and Family(Q)

14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(R) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(S) for the sake of his people Israel.

In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons(T) and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him there:(U) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada[d] and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines(V)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(W) they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley(X) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(Y) and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[e] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(Z) them in the fire.(AA)

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(AB) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon(AC) to Gezer.(AD)

17 So David’s fame(AE) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(AF) him.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem(AG)

15 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared(AH) a place for the ark of God and pitched(AI) a tent for it. Then David said, “No one but the Levites(AJ) may carry(AK) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister(AL) before him forever.”

David assembled all Israel(AM) in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:(AN)

From the descendants of Kohath,

Uriel(AO) the leader and 120 relatives;

from the descendants of Merari,

Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;

from the descendants of Gershon,[f]

Joel the leader and 130 relatives;

from the descendants of Elizaphan,(AP)

Shemaiah the leader and 200 relatives;

from the descendants of Hebron,(AQ)

Eliel the leader and 80 relatives;

10 from the descendants of Uzziel,

Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives.

11 Then David summoned Zadok(AR) and Abiathar(AS) the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate(AT) yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites,(AU) did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us.(AV) We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.(AW) 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded(AX) in accordance with the word of the Lord.(AY)

16 David(AZ) told the leaders of the Levites(BA) to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians(BB) to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.(BC)

17 So the Levites appointed Heman(BD) son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph(BE) son of Berekiah; and from their relatives the Merarites,(BF) Ethan son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their relatives next in rank: Zechariah,[g] Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom(BG) and Jeiel,[h] the gatekeepers.

19 The musicians Heman,(BH) Asaph and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, Jaaziel,[i] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyres according to alamoth,[j] 21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel and Azaziah were to play the harps, directing according to sheminith.[k] 22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.

23 Berekiah and Elkanah were to be doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets(BI) before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark(BJ) of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. 26 Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams(BK) were sacrificed. 27 Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.(BL) 28 So all Israel(BM) brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts,(BN) with the sounding of rams’ horns(BO) and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.

29 As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 13:3 Or we neglected
  2. 1 Chronicles 13:3 Or him
  3. 1 Chronicles 13:11 Perez Uzzah means outbreak against Uzzah.
  4. 1 Chronicles 14:7 A variant of Eliada
  5. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
  6. 1 Chronicles 15:7 Hebrew Gershom, a variant of Gershon
  7. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Three Hebrew manuscripts and most Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 20 and 16:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Zechariah son and or Zechariah, Ben and
  8. 1 Chronicles 15:18 Hebrew; Septuagint (see also verse 21) Jeiel and Azaziah
  9. 1 Chronicles 15:20 See verse 18; Hebrew Aziel, a variant of Jaaziel.
  10. 1 Chronicles 15:20 Probably a musical term
  11. 1 Chronicles 15:21 Probably a musical term

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

Further Instructions

(A)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it (B)with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may (C)open to us a door for the word, (D)to declare the mystery of Christ, (E)on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

(F)Walk in wisdom toward (G)outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always (H)be gracious, (I)seasoned with salt, (J)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

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

10 (N)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark (O)the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—(P)if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called (Q)Justus. (R)These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and (S)they have been a comfort to me. 12 (T)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always (U)struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand (V)mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 (W)Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does (X)Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers[c] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and (Y)the church in her house. 16 And when (Z)this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to (AA)Archippus, “See that you fulfill (AB)the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, (AC)write this greeting with my own hand. (AD)Remember (AE)my chains. (AF)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
  2. Colossians 4:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface
  3. Colossians 4:15 Or brothers and sisters

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