Colossians 4 - J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

4 Remember, then, you employers, that your responsibility is to be fair and just towards those whom you employ, never forgetting that you yourselves have a heavenly employer.

Some simple, practical advice

2-4 Always maintain the habit of prayer: be both alert and thankful as you pray. Include us in your prayers, please, that God may open for us a door for the entrance of the Gospel. Pray that we may talk freely of the mystery of Christ (for which I am at present in chains), and that I may make that mystery plain to men, which I know is my duty.

5-6 Be wise in your behaviour towards non-Christians, and make the best possible use of your time. Speak pleasantly to them, but never sentimentally, and learn to give a proper answer to every questioner.

Greetings and farewell

7-9 Tychicus (a well-loved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow-servant of the Lord) will tell you all about my present circumstances. This is partly why I am sending him to you. The other reasons are that you may find out how we are all getting on, and that he may put new heart into you. With him is Onesimus one of your own congregation (well-loved and faithful, too). Between them they will tell you of conditions and activities here.

10-11 Aristarchus, who is also in prison here, sends greetings, and so does Barnabas’ cousin, Mark. I believe I told you before about him; if he does come to you, make him welcome. Jesus Justus, another Hebrew Christian, is here too. Only these few are working with me for the kingdom, but what a help they have been!

12-13 Epaphras, another member of your Church, and a real servant of Christ, sends his greeting. He works hard for you even here, for he prays constantly and earnestly for you, that you may become mature Christians, and may fulfil God’s will for you. From my own observation I can tell you that he has a real passion for your welfare, and for that of the churches of Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, our beloved doctor and Demas send their best wishes.

15 My own greetings to the Christians in Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the congregation who meet in her house.

16 When you have had this letter read in your church, see that the Laodiceans have it read in their church too; and see that you read the letter I have written to them.

17 A brief message to Archippus: God ordained you to your work—see that you don’t fail him!

18 My personal greeting to you written by myself. Don’t forget I’m in prison. Grace be with you.

PAUL

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Colossians 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens. 2 In the prayer continue ye, watching in it in thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of t...
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Colossians 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 Lords, give ye to servants that that is just and even, witting that also ye have a Lord in heaven. 2 Be ye busy in prayer, and wake in it, in doing of thankings; 3 and pray each for other, and for us [praying together and for us], that God open to us the door of word, to speak the mystery of Chr...
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Colossians 4 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

4 You who are a boss, do what is right to your servants. You know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Always take time to talk to God. Put your mind on what you are saying. And thank God for what he has done. 3 Talk to God about us too. Ask him to open a way for us to tell people his message. W...
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Colossians 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I ...
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Colossians 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

4 And to you masters: treat your slaves fairly and do what is right, knowing that you, too, have a Master in heaven. Family life has changed since Paul’s day. Today, sociologists talk about modern families as “nuclear”: two parents with one or two children. In Colossae, as elsewhere in Paul’s world,...
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Colossians 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

4 Masters, give your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Devote Yourselves to Prayer2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, keep praying for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the message, to p...
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Colossians 4 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

4 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Further Instructions2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 3 and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on acco...
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Colossians 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

4 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Further Instructions2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 3 and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on acco...
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Colossians 4 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

4 Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a master in Heaven. 2 Be steadfast in prayer, watching with thanksgiving; 3 praying also for us that God may open a door of utterance to us to speak the mystery of Christ (because of which I am also in bonds); 4 ...
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Colossians 4 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

4 And a word for masters: do what is just and fair for your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master – in heaven. The Fellowship of Prayer2 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 th...
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Colossians 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

4 1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Further Instructions2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare t...
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Colossians 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

4 1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.Further Instructions2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.(A)3 At the same time, pray for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare ...
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Colossians 4 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

4 1 You masters, be just and fair to your servants, seeing you know that you also have a master in heaven. He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer, to walk wisely with regard to persons who have not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ, and greets them. 2 Continue in prayer, and keep vigil in t...
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Colossians 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

4 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. An Encouragement for Prayer2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Chr...
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Colossians 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

4 Owners, give your servants what is right. Do the same for all. Remember that your Owner is in heaven. Some Things to Do2 You must keep praying. Keep watching! Be thankful always. 3 As you pray, be sure to pray for us also. Pray that God will open the door for us to preach the Word. We want to tel...
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Colossians 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Christian Graces; Final Greetings4 Masters,(A) give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Christian Graces2 (B)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (C)with thanksgiving; 3 (D)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would (E)open to us ...
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