Keraia
Pauline Epistles

Colossians 4

Prayerful Speech and Actions

1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

1Masters, provide to your slaves that which is right and that which is equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it in thanksgiving,

3as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

3praying at the same time also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, on account of which also I have been bound,

4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

4so that I may make it clear, as it is necessary for me to speak.

5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

5Walk in wisdom toward those outside, redeeming the time.

6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

6Let your word be always in grace, having been seasoned with salt, to know how it is necessary for you to answer each one.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.

7All the things concerning me, Tychicus will make known to you—the beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow servant in the Lord,

8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

8whom I sent to you for this, that you may know the things concerning us, and he may encourage your hearts,

9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

9with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is of you. They will make known to you all things here.

10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.

10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received commands—if he shall come to you, welcome him—

11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

11and also Jesus who is called Justus, these being the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God of the circumcision, who became a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.

12Epaphras greets you, who is of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, always striving for you in the prayers, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

13For I testify for him that he has much distress for you and those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.

14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.

14Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and Demas.

Signature and Final Instructions

15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in her house.

16After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

16And when the letter may be read among you, cause that it may be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also may read the one from Laodicea.

17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

17And say to Archippus: “See to the ministry that you received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.

Remember my chains.

Grace be with you.

18The greeting is in my hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.