Colossians 4

1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you yourselves have a master in heaven.
2 Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving.3 At the same time, pray for us also. Pray that God would open a door for the word so we can preach the secret plant of Christ—which is why I’m in chains.4 Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach.5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

6 Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.

Final greeting

7 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will inform you about everything that has happened to me.8 This is why I sent him to you, so that you’ll know all about us and so he can encourage your hearts.

9 I sent him with Onesimus, our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, says hello to you. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (you received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him).11 Jesus, called Justus, also says hello. These are my only fellow workers for God’s kingdom who are Jewish converts. They have been an encouragement to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. He’s a slave of Christ Jesus who always wrestles for you in prayers so that you will stand firm and be fully mature and complete in the entire will of God.13 I can vouch for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas say hello.
15 Say hello to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, along with Nympha and the church that meets in her house.16 After this letter has been read to you publicly, make sure that the church in Laodicea reads it and that you read the one from Laodicea.

17 And tell Archippus, "See to it that you complete the ministry that you received in the Lord."

18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting personally. Remember that I’m in prison. 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