New Testament · Colossians

Colossians 4

Prayerful Speech and Actions

1Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word^a, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Messiah, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5Conduct yourselves with wisdom^b toward outsiders, making the most of the appointed time.^c 6Let your speech always be with grace^d, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

(Romans 16:21–23)

7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts^e; 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas's cousin Mark — about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him — 11and also Yeshua who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bond-servant of Messiah, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and complete in all the will^f of God. 13For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

Signature and Final Instructions

(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)

15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea and also Nymphas and the ekklesia that is in his house.^g

16When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the ekklesia of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.

17Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. grace be with you. Amen.