1Masters,a supply your •slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
Speaking to God and Others
2Devote yourselvesb to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a doorc to us for the message, to speak the •mystery of the •Messiah,d for which I am in prison,e 4so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.f 6Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt,g so that you may know how you should answer each person.h
Christian Greetings
7Tychicus,i our dearly loved brother, faithfulj servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we arek and so that he may encouragel your hearts.m 9He is with Onesimus,n a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark,o Barnabas’sp cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras,q who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contendingr for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assureds in everything God wills.t 13For I testify about him that he works hardu, v for you, for those in Laodicea,w and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demasx greet you. 15Give my greetings to the •brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.y 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17And tell Archippus,z “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”aa
18This greeting is in my own hand — Paul. Remember my imprisonment.ab Grace be with you.ac, ad
Footnotes:
a. 4:1 Col 3:22
b. 4:2 Rm 12:12
c. 4:3 Ac 14:27; 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12
d. 4:3 1Co 2:7; Eph 3:4; 5:2
e. 4:3 Ac 27:2; 28:16,30; Eph 6:18-20
f. 4:5 Eph 5:15-17
g. 4:6 Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34
h. 4:6 1Pt 3:15
i. 4:7 Ac 20:4; Ti 3:12
j. 4:7 Nm 23:19
k. 4:8 Other mss read that he may know how you are
l. 4:8 Lk 16:25
m. 4:8 Eph 6:21-22; Col 2:2
n. 4:9 Phm 10,16
o. 4:10 Phm 24
p. 4:10 Ac 4:36
q. 4:12 Col 1:7; Phm 23
r. 4:12 Jd 3
s. 4:12 Other mss read and complete
t. 4:12 Gl 1:4; Eph 1:9
u. 4:13 Other mss read he has a great zeal
v. 4:13 Jd 3
w. 4:13 Col 2:1
x. 4:14 2Tm 4:10
y. 4:15 Ac 12:12; Rm 16:5
z. 4:17 Phm 2
aa. 4:17 2Tm 4:5
ab. 4:18 Php 1:7
ac. 4:18 Other mss add Amen.
ad. 4:18 1Tm 6:21; 2Tm 4:22; Ti 3:15
