Colossians 3:17-4:18

English Standard Version

¹⁷ And ^(A)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(B)giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

^18 (C)Wives, submit to your husbands, as ^(D)is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and ^(E)do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(F)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(G)in everything those who are your earthly masters,^[a] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ^23 (H)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(I)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(J)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(K)You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, treat your bondservants^[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

^2 (L)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(M)with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may ^(N)open to us a door for the word, ^(O)to declare the mystery of Christ, ^(P)on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

^5 (Q)Walk in wisdom toward ^(R)outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always ^(S)be gracious, ^(T)seasoned with salt, ^(U)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus will tell you ^(V)all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant^[c] in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ and with him ^(W)Onesimus, our faithful and ^(X)beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

^10 (Y)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark ^(Z)the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—^(AA)if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called ^(AB)Justus. ^(AC)These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and ^(AD)they have been a comfort to me. ^12 (AE)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always ^(AF)struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand ^(AG)mature and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ^14 (AH)Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does ^(AI)Demas. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers^[d] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and ^(AJ)the church in her house. ¹⁶ And when ^(AK)this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to ^(AL)Archippus, “See that you fulfill ^(AM)the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ I, Paul, ^(AN)write this greeting with my own hand. ^(AO)Remember ^(AP)my chains. ^(AQ)Grace be with you.