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Colossians 4
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Colossians 4
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
4 1 Masters, be granting to your slaves the just[a] thing and equality[b], knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Devote Yourselves To Prayer
2 Be devoting-yourselves to prayer, keeping-watch[c] in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying at the same time also for us— that God may open to us a door for the word that we may speak the mystery of Christ because of which I also have been bound, 4 that[d] I may make it clear[e], as I ought-to speak.
Walk With Wisdom And Grace In This World
5 Be walking with wisdom toward the ones outside, redeeming[f] the time, 6 your speech always being with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought-to answer each one.
Closing Remarks And Greetings
7 All the things concerning me Tychicus will make-known to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-slave in the Lord 8 whom I sent to you for this very reason— in order that you may know the things concerning us and he may encourage your hearts— 9 together-with Onesimus[g], the faithful and beloved brother who is from-among you. They will make all the things here known to you.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, greets you, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received commands (if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus, the one being called Justus— the ones being from the circumcision[h] (these alone are fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, who proved-to-be[i] a comfort[j] to me). 12 Epaphras greets you— the one from-among you, a slave of Christ Jesus always struggling[k] for you in his prayers in-order-that[l] you might stand mature[m] and having been fully-assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify concerning him that he has great pain[n] for you, and the ones in Laodicea, and the ones in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and Demas.
15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church at her house. 16 And when this letter is read among you, cause that it also be read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus— “See-to the ministry which you received in the Lord, in order that you may be fulfilling it”.
18 The greeting of Paul by my own hand— remember[o] my imprisonment[p]. Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:1 Or, right, righteous (before your Master).
- Colossians 4:1 That is, treat them as equals before your common Master. Or, equity, fairness (from your common Master’s point of view). Paul is not directly referring to emancipation.
- Colossians 4:2 Or, staying-alert.
- Colossians 4:4 This is a second request. Or, in order that, giving the purpose of the request for an open door.
- Colossians 4:4 Or, known.
- Colossians 4:5 That is, buying up the time for the Lord; saving the time from being lost or wasted; making the most of your time.
- Colossians 4:9 That is, the one of whom Philemon was written.
- Colossians 4:11 That is, Jewish Christians.
- Colossians 4:11 Or, were, became.
- Colossians 4:11 Or, consolation, assuagement.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, striving, fighting.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, that, giving the content of his prayers.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, complete.
- Colossians 4:13 That is, aching in his heart; or, toil, exertion (that is, he toils hard for you).
- Colossians 4:18 That is, keep in mind.
- Colossians 4:18 Or, bonds.
Colossians 4
New International Version
Colossians 4
New International Version
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(B) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(E) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;(G) make the most of every opportunity.(H) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(I) seasoned with salt,(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(K)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a](M) in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(N) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(R) the cousin of Barnabas.(S) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(U) who is one of you(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(X) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(Y) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(Z) the doctor, and Demas(AA) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AC)
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus:(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AF)
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AG) Remember(AH) my chains.(AI) Grace be with you.(AJ)
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
- Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
- Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) 
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.