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Colossians 4 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Col 4:1Masters, treat your bondservants[fn] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

Col 4:2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Col 4:3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
Col 4:4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Col 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

(cf. Eph 6:21, 22 )
Col 4:7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant[fn] in the Lord.
Col 4:8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
Col 4:9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Col 4:10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
Col 4:11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Col 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Col 4:13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Col 4:14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
Col 4:15Give my greetings to the brothers[fn] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
Col 4:16And when 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.
Col 4:17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Col 4:18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
ESV Footnotes
For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface
Or brothers and sisters
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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

Colossians Chapter 4 — Additional Translations: