Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Colossians 4
Exhortation to Households
1 Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.
Exhortation to Pray for the Success of Paul’s Mission
2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.3 At the same time prayt for us too, thatt God may open a door for the messaget so that we may proclaimt the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.t4 Pray that I may make it known as I should.t5 Conduct yourselvest with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.
Personal Greetings and Instructions
7 Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slavet in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.t8 I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doingt and that he may encourage your hearts.
9 I sent himt with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.t They will tellt you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).11 And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts,t these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a slavet of Christ,s greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assuredt in all the will of God.13 For I can testify that he has worked hardt for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.14 Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you.15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisterst who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in hers house.t16 And aftert you have read this letter, have it readt to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodiceas as well.
17 And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand.t Remember my chains.t Grace be with you.s