1 M asters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2 C ontinue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 w ithal 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:

praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

4 t hat I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5 W alk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

6 L et your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

7 A ll my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.

8 w hom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

9 w ith Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 A ristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

11 a nd 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.

and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

12 E paphras, 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.

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

13 F or I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 L uke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

15 S alute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.

16 A nd 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.

When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.

17 A nd say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 T he salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.