Colossians 4

1

Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.Eph 6:9

2Closing ExhortationsDevote yourselves to prayer. Be alert when you pray
Lit. Be alert in it
with thanksgiving.Luke 18:1; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; Col 2:7; 3:15; 1Thes 5:17-18
3At the same time also pray for us—that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about Christ, for which I have been imprisoned.Matt 13:11; 1Cor 4:1; 16:9; 2Cor 2:12; Eph 6:19-20; Phil 1:7; Col 1:26; 2:2; 2Thes 3:1 4May I reveal it as clearly as I should!
Lit. as I should speak

5Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time.Eph 5:15-16; 1Thes 4:12 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.Eccl 10:12; Mark 9:50; Col 3:16; 1Pet 3:15

7Greetings from Paul and His Fellow WorkersTychicus will tell you everything that has happened to me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.Eph 6:21 8I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.Eph 6:22 9He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him.Acts 15:37; 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; 2Tim 4:11 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant
Or slave
of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand mature
Or complete
and completely convinced of the entire will of God.Matt 5:48; Rom 15:30; 1Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:7; Heb 5:14
13For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hieropolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.2Tim 4:10-11 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house.Rom 16:5; 1Cor 16:19 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans. And be sure to read the one from Laodicea.1Thes 5:27 17Tell Archippus, “See that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”1Tim 4:6

18Final GreetingThis greeting is by my own hand—“Paul.” Remember my imprisonment. May grace be with you! Amen.
Other mss. lack Amen
1Cor 16:21; 2Thes 3:17; Heb 13:3, 25

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