| Chapter 4 |
1 | Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven. |
2 | Give yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise; |
3 | And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains; |
4 | So that I may make it clear, as it is right for me to do. |
5 | Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time. |
6 | Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone. |
7 | Tychicus will give you news of all my business: he is a dear brother and true servant and helper in the word; |
8 | And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may have news of how we are, and so that he may give your hearts comfort; |
9 | And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here. |
10 | Aristarchus, my brother-prisoner, sends his love to you, and Mark, a relation of Barnabas (about whom you have been given orders: if he comes to you, be kind to him), |
11 | And Jesus, whose other name is Justus; these are of the circumcision: they are my only brother-workers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me. |
12 | Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God. |
13 | For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. |
14 | Luke, our well-loved medical friend, and Demas, send you their love. |
15 | Give my love to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nymphas and the church in their house. |
16 | And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea. |
17 | Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do. |
18 | I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you. |