Colossians 4 - The Message (MSG)

4 And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.

Pray for Open Doors

2-4 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

7-9 My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He’s a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master. I’ve sent him to you so that you would know how things are with us, and so he could encourage you in your faith. And I’ve sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they’ll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.

10-11 Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also Mark, cousin of Barnabas (you received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him); and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God’s kingdom. Don’t think they haven’t been a big help!

12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings.

15 Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in Laodicea. And get the letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you.

17 And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.”

18 I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.

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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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