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Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Closing Exhortations

Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert[a] and thankful when you pray. At the same time also pray for us—that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah,[b] for which I have been imprisoned. May I reveal it as clearly as I should![c]

Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Greetings from Paul and His Fellow Workers

Tychicus will tell you everything that has happened to me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant[d] of the Messiah[e] Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand mature,[f] completely convinced of the entire will of God. 13 For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and be sure to read the one from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus, “See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord.”

Final Greeting

18 This greeting is written with my own signature[g]—“Paul.” Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen.[h]

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:2 Lit. Be alert in it
  2. Colossians 4:3 Or Christ
  3. Colossians 4:4 Lit. as I should speak
  4. Colossians 4:12 Or slave
  5. Colossians 4:12 Or Christ
  6. Colossians 4:12 Or complete
  7. Colossians 4:18 Lit. hand
  8. Colossians 4:18 Other mss. lack Amen

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