4 1 Masters, be granting to your slaves the just[a] thing and equality[b], knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Devote Yourselves To Prayer
2 Be devoting-yourselves to prayer, keeping-watch[c] in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying at the same time also for us— that God may open to us a door for the word that we may speak the mystery of Christ because of which I also have been bound, 4 that[d] I may make it clear[e], as I ought-to speak.
Walk With Wisdom And Grace In This World
5 Be walking with wisdom toward the ones outside, redeeming[f] the time, 6 your speech always being with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought-to answer each one.
Closing Remarks And Greetings
7 All the things concerning me Tychicus will make-known to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-slave in the Lord 8 whom I sent to you for this very reason— in order that you may know the things concerning us and he may encourage your hearts— 9 together-with Onesimus[g], the faithful and beloved brother who is from-among you. They will make all the things here known to you.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, greets you, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received commands (if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus, the one being called Justus— the ones being from the circumcision[h] (these alone are fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, who proved-to-be[i] a comfort[j] to me). 12 Epaphras greets you— the one from-among you, a slave of Christ Jesus always struggling[k] for you in his prayers in-order-that[l] you might stand mature[m] and having been fully-assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify concerning him that he has great pain[n] for you, and the ones in Laodicea, and the ones in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and Demas.
15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church at her house. 16 And when this letter is read among you, cause that it also be read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus— “See-to the ministry which you received in the Lord, in order that you may be fulfilling it”.
18 The greeting of Paul by my own hand— remember[o] my imprisonment[p]. Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:1 Or, right, righteous (before your Master).
- Colossians 4:1 That is, treat them as equals before your common Master. Or, equity, fairness (from your common Master’s point of view). Paul is not directly referring to emancipation.
- Colossians 4:2 Or, staying-alert.
- Colossians 4:4 This is a second request. Or, in order that, giving the purpose of the request for an open door.
- Colossians 4:4 Or, known.
- Colossians 4:5 That is, buying up the time for the Lord; saving the time from being lost or wasted; making the most of your time.
- Colossians 4:9 That is, the one of whom Philemon was written.
- Colossians 4:11 That is, Jewish Christians.
- Colossians 4:11 Or, were, became.
- Colossians 4:11 Or, consolation, assuagement.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, striving, fighting.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, that, giving the content of his prayers.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, complete.
- Colossians 4:13 That is, aching in his heart; or, toil, exertion (that is, he toils hard for you).
- Colossians 4:18 That is, keep in mind.
- Colossians 4:18 Or, bonds.