Font Size
Colossians 4
New Testament for Everyone
Colossians 4
New Testament for Everyone
4 Here’s a word, too, for masters: do what is just and fair for your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master—in heaven.
The fellowship of prayer
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; keep alert in it, with thanksgiving. 3 While you’re about it, pray for us, too, that God will open in front of us a door for the word, so that we may speak of the mystery of the Messiah—which is why I’m here in chains. 4 Pray that I may speak clearly about it. That’s what I am duty-bound to do.
5 Behave wisely towards outsiders; buy up every opportunity. 6 When you speak, make sure it’s always full of grace, and well flavored with salt! That way you’ll know how to give each person an appropriate answer.
7 Our dear brother Tychicus will tell you all my news. He is a faithful servant, indeed a fellow slave in the Lord. 8 This is why I’m sending him to you—to let you know how things are with us, and to encourage your hearts. 9 I’m also sending Onesimus, who is a dear and faithful brother. He is one of your own number. They will tell you everything that’s going on here.
Greetings from others
10 Aristarchus (who’s in jail with me here) sends you greetings. So does Mark, Barnabas’s nephew. You’ve received instructions about him; if he comes to you, do make him welcome. 11 Jesus Justus sends greetings as well. These three are the only fellow Jews I have among my colleagues working for God’s kingdom, and they have been an encouragement to me.
12 Epaphras, one of your own folk and also one of Messiah Jesus’ slaves, sends you greetings. He’s always struggling in prayer on your behalf, praying that you will stand firm and mature, and have your minds fully settled on everything that God wants you to do. 13 I can bear him witness that he’s gone to a lot of trouble on your behalf, and also on behalf of the family in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends greetings; so too does Demas.
15 Pass my greetings on to the family in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 When this letter has been read to you, make sure it’s read in Laodicea as well; and you, too, should read the letter that will come on to you from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus: “Take care to complete the commission that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I’m signing off in my own hand: PAUL.
Remember the chains I’m wearing.
Grace be with you.
Colossians 4
New International Version
Colossians 4
New International Version
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(B) being watchful and thankful. 3 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) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;(G) make the most of every opportunity.(H) 6 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
7 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. 8 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) 9 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
- Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
- Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
- Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
New Testament for Everyone (NTFE) 
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.