A Fresh Translation of Colossians 4

The last chapter of Paul's letter to the Colossians. All names are rendered in their original languages.

     The owners, furnish your slaves with right and equality, knowing that you also have an owner in the heavenly realm.

     Persist obstinately in prayer, keeping awake with it with thanksgiving, praying at the same time also about us, so that God would open to us a door for the message to say the mystery of the Christ, because of which I had also been bound, so that I would make that mystery visible as there is a need for me to talk. Walk with wisdom towards those outside buying up the time you have. Your message always with charity, being seasoned with salt, to know how it is necessary for you to respond to each one.

     Tukhikos, the dear brother, trustworthy servant, and co-slave by means of the Lord, will make known to you all the things happening with me, whom I will send in your direction for this self same thing, so that you would know the things about us and he would encourage your hearts, together with Onesimus the trustworthy and dear brother, who is from you; they will make all the things here known to you.

     Aristarkhos my fellow spoil of war embraces you as well as Marcus the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received a command, if he should come in your direction, welcome him), and Yeshua, the one said, “Iustus,” they being from the circumcision, these are the only co-workers as far as the kingdom of God is concerned such as became a comfort to me. Epaphras, slave of the Christ, Yeshua, who is from you embraces you, always agonizing on your behalf with his prayers, so that you would be stood mature and having been brought to the full measure by means of every will of God. Because I testify to him that he has a lot of pain on your behalf and on behalf of those in Laodikeia and those in Hieropolis. The dear physician Lucas embraces you as well as Demas. Embrace those brothers in Laodikeia, and Numphas as well as the congregation in line with her house. And when the letter should be read in your presence, you should make it so that it would also be read by the Laodikeian congregation, and so that you also should read the one from Laodikeia. And tell Arkhippos, “Look out for the service which you received by means of the Lord, so that you would fulfill it.”

     The embrace of Paulos by my own hand. Remember my chains. The charitable gift be with you.