Colossians 4

New Century Version

4 Masters, give what is good and fair to your slaves. Remember that you have a Master in heaven.

What the Christians Are to Do

² Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. ³ Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. This is why I am in prison. ⁴ Pray that I can speak in a way that will make it clear, as I should.

⁵ Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. ⁶ When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.

News About the People with Paul

⁷ Tychicus is my dear brother in Christ and a faithful minister and servant with me in the Lord. He will tell you all the things that are happening to me. ⁸ This is why I am sending him: so you may know how we are^[a] and he may encourage you. ⁹ I send him with Onesimus, a faithful and dear brother in Christ, and one of your group. They will tell you all that has happened here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, a prisoner with me, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, greet you. (I have already told you what to do about Mark. If he comes, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only Jewish believers who work with me for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

¹² Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, from your group, also greets you. He always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything God wants for you. ¹³ I know he has worked hard for you and the people in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Demas and our dear friend Luke, the doctor, greet you.

¹⁵ Greet the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. And greet Nympha and the church that meets in her house. ¹⁶ After this letter is read to you, be sure it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And you read the letter that I wrote to Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “Be sure to finish the work the Lord gave you.”

¹⁸ I, Paul, greet you and write this with my own hand. Remember me in prison. Grace be with you.