Colossians 4 – NIVUK & CCB

New International Version – UK

Colossians 4:1-18

1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further instructions

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Final greetings

7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12 in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’

18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)

歌罗西书 4:1-18

1你们做主人的,对待奴仆要公平合理,别忘了你们也有一位天上的主。

勉励祷告

2你们要以感恩和警醒的心恒切祷告。 3要为我们祷告,求上帝为我们打开传道的门,好传扬基督的奥秘——我就是为此而被囚禁的。 4也要求上帝使我能尽自己的本分把这奥秘讲清楚。

5你们要把握时机,运用智慧和非信徒交往。 6谈吐要温和、风趣4:6 风趣”希腊文是“用盐调和”。,知道该怎样回答每个人。

结语

7有关我一切的事情,推基古会告诉你们。他是我亲爱的弟兄,是和我一同事奉主的忠仆。 8我特意派他去见你们,好让你们知道我们的近况,并鼓励你们。 9这次和他同行的还有另一位忠心的弟兄——亲爱的阿尼西谋,他是你们那里的人。他们会把这里的详细情形告诉你们。

问候

10和我一同坐牢的亚里达古问候你们,巴拿巴的表弟马可也问候你们。关于马可,我嘱咐过你们,如果他去你们那里,你们要接待他。 11耶数,又名犹士都,问候你们。受过割礼的犹太基督徒中,只有这三人和我一同为上帝的国工作,他们是我的安慰。 12来自你们那里、做基督耶稣奴仆的以巴弗弟兄问候你们。他常常恳切地为你们祷告,好使你们信心坚定,生命成熟,深知上帝一切的旨意。 13他为了你们以及老底嘉希拉波立的弟兄姊妹而不辞劳苦,这是我可以作证的。 14此外,亲爱的路加医生和底马也问候你们。 15请代我问候在老底嘉的弟兄姊妹,也问候宁法姊妹和在她家里聚会的人。 16你们当众宣读这封信后,也要交给老底嘉教会宣读,你们也要宣读老底嘉教会转给你们的信。 17请告诉亚基布务要完成主交给他的工作。 18保罗亲笔问候你们。请你们不要忘记狱中的我。

愿上帝的恩典常与你们同在!