4 Masters,(A) deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
Speaking to God and Others
2 Devote yourselves(B) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door(C) to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,(D) for which I am in chains,(E) 4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.(F) 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,(G) so that you may know how you should answer each person.(H)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus,(I) our dearly loved brother, faithful(J) minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[a] and so that he may encourage(K) your hearts.(L) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(M) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark,(N) Barnabas’s(O) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(P) who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling(Q) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured[b] in everything God wills.(R) 13 For I testify about him that he works hard[c](S) for you, for those in Laodicea,(T) and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas(U) send you greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.(V) 16 After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus,(W) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”(X)
18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains.(Y) Grace be with you.[d](Z)
Footnotes
- 4:8 Other mss read that he may know how you are
- 4:12 Other mss read and complete
- 4:13 Other mss read he has a great zeal
- 4:18 Other mss add Amen.
Cross references
- 4:1 : Col 3:22
- 4:2 : Rm 12:12
- 4:3 : Ac 14:27; 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12
- 4:3 : 1Co 2:7; Eph 3:4; 5:2
- 4:3 : Ac 27:2; 28:16,30; Eph 6:18–20
- 4:5 : Eph 5:15–17
- 4:6 : Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34
- 4:6 : 1Pt 3:15
- 4:7 : Ac 20:4; Ti 3:12
- 4:7 : Nm 23:19
- 4:8 : Lk 16:25
- 4:8 : Eph 6:21–22; Col 2:2
- 4:9 : Phm 10,16
- 4:10 : Phm 24
- 4:10 : Ac 4:36
- 4:12 : Col 1:7; Phm 23
- 4:12 : Jd 3
- 4:12 : Gl 1:4; Eph 1:9
- 4:13 : Jd 3
- 4:13 : Col 2:1
- 4:14 : 2Tm 4:10
- 4:15 : Ac 12:12; Rm 16:5
- 4:17 : Phm 2
- 4:17 : 2Tm 4:5
- 4:18 : Php 1:7
- 4:18 : 1Tm 6:21; 2Tm 4:22; Ti 3:15