KOLOSSENSE 4
1 Eienaars, behandel julle slawe reg en billik in die wete dat julle ook onder iemand staan, onder die Here in die hemel.
Bid en tree met wysheid op
2 Volhard in die gebed! Wees daarby waaksaam en dankbaar 3 en bid tegelykertyd ook vir ons. Bid dat God vir ons 'n deur vir die woord oopmaak sodat ons die geheimenis van Christus kan verkondig waarvoor ek hier gevange sit. 4 Bid dat ek dit duidelik sal verkondig soos dit my opgelê is.
5 Tree met wysheid op teenoor die mense wat nog buite die gemeente is. Maak die beste gebruik van elke geleentheid. 6 Wat julle sê, moet altyd vriendelik wees en van goeie smaak getuig; en julle moet weet hoe julle elkeen behoort te antwoord.
Moenie oor my bekommerd wees nie
7 Tigikus, die medegelowige wat ek baie lief het, sal julle alles vertel van hoe dit met my gaan. Hy is 'n getroue dienaar en werk saam met my in diens van die Here. 8 Ek stuur hom na julle toe juis sodat julle kan hoor hoe dit hier by ons gaan en sodat hy die kommer in julle gemoed kan wegneem. 9 Onesimus, die getroue medegelowige wat ek baie lief het en wat een van julle is, gaan saam met hom. Hulle sal julle alles vertel van hoe dit hier gaan.
Groete
10 Aristargos, wat hier saam met my gevange sit, stuur vir julle groete; ook Markus, die neef van Barnabas. Oor hom het julle reeds opdragte gekry: as hy daar by julle kom, moet julle hom gasvry ontvang. 11 Verder stuur Jesus, wat ook Justus genoem word, groete. Hulle drie is die enigste Jode wat saam met my werk vir die koninkryk van God. Hulle is vir my 'n groot troos.
12 Epafras, wat een van julle is, stuur vir julle groete. Hy staan in diens van Christus Jesus en bid altyd ernstig vir julle dat julle staande mag bly, geestelik volwasse en in alles volkome gehoorsaam aan die wil van God. 13 Ek kan van hom getuig dat hy baie vir julle doen asook vir die gelowiges in Laodisea en in Hiërapolis.
14 Lukas, die dokter wat ek baie lief het, en Demas stuur vir julle groete.
15 Dra my groete oor aan die gelowiges in Laodisea en aan Nimfa en die gemeente wat gereeld in haar huis bymekaarkom.
16 Wanneer hierdie brief klaar by julle voorgelees is, moet julle reëlings tref dat dit ook in die gemeente van die Laodisense voorgelees kan word; en die een wat van Laodisea af sal kom, moet ook by julle voorgelees word.
17 En sê vir Argippus: “Gee jou aandag aan die taak wat jy in diens van die Here aanvaar het, sodat jy dit kan voltooi.”
18 Nou skrywe ek met my eie hand. Groete, Paulus. Dink aan my waar ek hier gevange sit. Die genade sal by julle wees.
Colossians 4
1 MASTERS, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven. 2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.3 And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison;4 That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty.5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].7 Tychicus will give you full information about my affairs; [he is] a much-loved brother and faithful ministering assistant and fellow servant [with us] in the Lord.8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are faring and that he may comfort and cheer and encourage your hearts.9 And with [him is] Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of yourselves. They will let you know everything that has taken place here [in Rome].10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner wishes to be remembered to you, as does Mark the relative of Barnabas. You received instructions concerning him; if he comes to you give him a [hearty] welcome.11 And [greetings also from] Jesus, who is called Justus. These [Hebrew Christians] alone of the circumcision are among my fellow workers for [the extension of] God’s kingdom, and they have proved a relief and a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.13 For I bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for [the believers] in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas salute you.15 Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the assembly (the church) which meets in her house.16 And when this epistle has been read before you, [see] that it is read also in the assembly (the church) of the Laodiceans, and also [see] that you yourselves in turn read the [letter that comes to you] from Laodicea.17 And say to Archippus, See that you discharge carefully [the duties of] the ministry and fulfill the stewardship which you have received in the Lord.18 I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it).