Colossians 4
Worldwide English (New Testament)
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. We want to tell God's plan about Christ. That is why I am in prison because of that plan.
4 I want to be free to talk about it as I should do.
5 Act the right way to people who are not Christians. Make good use of your time.
6 Always say good things when you talk. Talk in a way that will make people listen. Then you will know how to answer people.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about me. He is a brother whom I love. He is a very good helper and works with me in the Lord's work.
8 I am sending him to you so that you will know about us and so that he may comfort your hearts.
9 I am sending Onesimus with him. He is also a good brother whom I love. He is one of you. They will tell you all about everything here.
10 Here are the people who send you greetings: Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, and Mark, a cousin of Barnabas. I have already told you to welcome him if he comes to you.
11 Jesus, whose other name is Justus, also sends greetings. These men are the only Jews who are doing God's work with me. And they have comforted me much.
12 Epaphras sends you greetings. He is one of you and is a servant of Christ Jesus. He always talks to God about you with all his heart. He asks God to help you to be strong so that you will become grown-up Christians and know all that God wants you to do.
13 I myself have seen how hard he has worked for you and for the people in the cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the doctor whom I love, and Demas also greet you.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and also to Nympha and the church people who meet in her house.
16 When you have read this letter, then be sure that it is also read to the church people in Laodicea. And be sure that you read the letter which will be sent to you from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus, `See that you do all the work which the Lord has given you to do.'
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I am in prison. God bless you.
Colossians 4
King James Version
4 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
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