Colossians 4

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

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal 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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 And 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.

12 Epaphras, 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.

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

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

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

16 And 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.

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

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Philemon

 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

 9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

 23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.