This is my working English translation of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, prepared as the foundation for our upcoming Translate the Bible With Me (TBWM) study. Translation decisions follow the Translation Micro–Style Guide.
Beginning in late Fall, Colossians will be explored incrementally through detailed grammatical, syntactical, and translational analysis. Translation decisions reflected here should be understood as provisional and subject to refinement as the TBWM work proceeds.
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Chapter 1
Greek Text
English Translation
1. Παῦλος ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς,
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2. τοῖς ἐν Κολοσσαῖς ἁγίοις καὶ πιστοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ· χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
2. To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ in Colosse. Grace to you and peace from the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Εὐχαριστοῦμεν τῷ Θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, πάντοτε περὶ ὑμῶν προσευχόμενοι,
3. We give thanks to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying concerning you,
4. ἀκούσαντες τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην τὴν εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους,
4. having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and your love of all the saints,
5. διὰ τὴν ἐλπίδα τὴν ἀποκειμένην ὑμῖν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἣν προηκούσατε ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τῆς ἀληθείας τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,
5. because of the hope destined for you in heaven, which you had heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
6. τοῦ παρόντος εἰς ὑμᾶς, καθὼς καὶ ἐν παντὶ τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ ἐστὶ καρποφορούμενον, καθὼς καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀφʼ ἧς ἡμέρας ἠκούσατε καὶ ἐπέγνωτε τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ·
6. that has come to you, just as also in all the world and is bearing fruit, likewise also in you from the day you heard and you knew the grace of God in the truth,
7. καθὼς καὶ ἐμάθετε ἀπὸ Ἐπαφρᾶ τοῦ ἀγαπητοῦ συνδούλου ἡμῶν, ὅς ἐστι πιστὸς ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν διάκονος τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
7. likewise, you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf,
8. ὁ καὶ δηλώσας ἡμῖν τὴν ὑμῶν ἀγάπην ἐν Πνεύματι.
8. and who made clear to us your love in the Spirit.
9. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἀφʼ ἧς ἡμέρας ἠκούσαμεν, οὐ παυόμεθα ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν προσευχόμενοι, καὶ αἰτούμενοι ἵνα πληρωθῆτε τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ καὶ συνέσει πνευματικῇ,
9. Therefore also we, from the day we we heard, have not stopped praying and asking on your behalf that you may be filled with the knoweldge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual insight,
10. περιπατῆσαι ὑμᾶς ἀξίως τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς πᾶσαν ἀρεσκείαν, ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ καρποφοροῦντες καὶ αὐξανόμενοι εἰς τὴν ἐπιγνώσιν τοῦ Θεοῦ·
10. that you may walk worthily of the Lord, pleasing in all respects, bearing fruit in all good works and growing in the knowledge of God;
11. ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει δυναμούμενοι κατὰ τὸ κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ, εἰς πᾶσαν ὑπομονὴν καὶ μακροθυμίαν, μετὰ χαρᾶς·
11. being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, in all perseverance and patience with joy;
12. εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ πατρὶ τῷ ἱκανώσαντι ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν μερίδα τοῦ κλήρου τῶν ἁγίων ἐν τῷ φωτί,
12. giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us for the inheritance of the saints in the light,
13. ὃς ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ σκότους, καὶ μετέστησεν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ υἱοῦ τῆς ἀγάπης αὐτοῦ,
13. who rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingom of the son of his love,
14. ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν διὰ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτοῦ, τὴν ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν·
14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.
15. ὅς ἐστιν εἰκὼν τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἀοράτου, πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως·
15. Who is the image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation,
16. ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐκτίσθη τὰ πάντα, τὰ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, τὰ ὁρατὰ καὶ τὰ ἀόρατα, εἴτε θρόνοι, εἴτε κυριότητες, εἴτε ἀρχαὶ, εἴτε ἐξουσίαι· τὰ πάντα διʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται·
16. for in him all things were created, the things in heaven, and the things on the earth, the visible things, and the unseen things, whether thrones, whether dominions, whether rulers, whether authorities; all things were created through him and in him,
17. καὶ αὐτός ἐστι πρὸ πάντων, καὶ τὰ πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκε.
17. and he is before all things, and all things in him are—and have been—held together,
18. καὶ αὐτός ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ τοῦ σώματος, τῆς ἐκκλησίας· ὅς ἐστιν ἀρχή, πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, ἵνα γένηται ἐν πᾶσιν αὐτὸς πρωτεύων·
18. and he is the head of the body, of the assembly, who is ruler, firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might come to be preeminent,
19. ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ εὐδόκησε πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα κατοικῆσαι,
19. That in him all fullness determined to dwell,
20. καὶ δῖ αὐτοῦ ἀποκαταλλάξαι τὰ πάντα εἰς αὐτόν, εἰρηνοποιήσας διὰ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ σταυροῦ αὐτοῦ, διʼ αὐτοῦ, εἴτε τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, εἴτε τὰ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.
20. and through him to reconcile all things in himself—whether things on the earth, whether things in the heavens—making peace through the blood of his cross, through him.
21. καὶ ὑμᾶς ποτε ὄντας ἀπηλλοτριωμένους καὶ ἐχθροὺς τῇ διανοίᾳ ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς, νυνὶ δὲ ἀποκατήλλαξεν
21. And you, once being alienated and hostile in mind, in evil deeds—but now he has reconciled
22. ἐν τῷ σώματι τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ διὰ τοῦ θανάτου, παραστῆσαι ὑμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους καὶ ἀνεγκλήτους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ·
22. in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unaccusable before him;
23. εἴγε ἐπιμένετε τῇ πίστει τεθεμελιωμένοι καὶ ἑδραῖοι, καὶ μὴ μετακινούμενοι ἀπὸ τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ εὐαγγελίου οὗ ἠκούσατε, τοῦ κηρυχθέντος ἐν πάσῃ τῇ κτίσει τῇ ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν, οὗ ἐγενόμην ἐγὼ Παῦλος διάκονος.
23. If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and firm, and not being shifted from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24. Ὅς νῦν χαίρω ἐν τοῖς παθήμασι μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀνταναπληρῶ τὰ ὑστερήματα τῶν θλίψεων τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου ὑπὲρ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ, ὅ ἐστιν ἡ ἐκκλησία·
24. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you and I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for the sake of his body, which is the church;
25. ἧς ἐγενόμην ἐγὼ διάκονος, κατὰ τὴν οἰκονομίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς, πληρῶσαι τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ,
25. of which I became a servant according to the stewardship from God given to me for you, to fully carry out the word of God,
26. τὸ μυστήριον τὸ ἀποκεκρυμμένον ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν γενεῶν· νυνὶ δὲ ἐφανερώθη τοῖς ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ,
26. the mystery that had been concealed for ages and generations, but now has been made known to his saints,
27. οἷς ἠθέλησεν ὁ Θεὸς γνωρίσαι τίς ὁ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης τοῦ μυστηρίου τούτου ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ὅς ἐστι Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν, ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς δόξης·
27. to whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;
28. ὃν ἡμεῖς καταγγέλλομεν, νουθετοῦντες πάντα ἄνθρωπον, καὶ διδάσκοντες πάντα ἄνθρωπον ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ, ἵνα παραστήσωμεν πάντα ἄνθρωπον τέλειον ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ·
28. who we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom so that we may present every man mature in Christ Jesus,
29. εἰς ὃ καὶ κοπιῶ, ἀγωνιζόμενος κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν αὐτοῦ, τὴν ἐνεργουμένην ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐν δυνάμει.
29. for which even I toil, striving according to his working at work in me in power.
[Chap 1 – Top] [Chap 2] [Chap 3] [Chap 4]
Chapter 2
Greek Text
English Translation
1. Θέλω γὰρ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι ἡλίκον ἀγῶνα ἔχω περὶ ὑμῶν καὶ τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ, καὶ ὅσοι οὐχ ἑώρακασι τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐν σαρκί,
1. For I want you to understand how large a struggle I have concerning you and the ones in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2. ἵνα παρακληθῶσιν αἱ καρδίαι αὐτῶν, συμβιβασθέντων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, καὶ εἰς πάντα πλοῦτον τῆς πληροφορίας τῆς συνέσεως, εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
2. so that their hearts being united together would be encouraged in love and in all the riches of the fullness of understanding in the knowledge of the mystery of God and the father of the Christ,
3. ἐν ᾧ εἰσὶ πάντες οἱ θησαυροὶ τῆς σοφίας καὶ τῆς γνώσεως ἀπόκρυφοι.
3. in whom are all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge hidden.
4. τοῦτο δὲ λέγω, ἵνα μή τις ὑμᾶς παραλογίζηται ἐν πιθανολογίᾳ.
4. But this I say so that no one may deceive you with persuasive reasoning.
5. εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι, ἀλλὰ τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι, χαίρων καὶ βλέπων ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν, καὶ τὸ στερέωμα τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν.
5. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in spirit I am with you, rejoicing and seeing your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
6. Ὡς οὖν παρελάβετε τὸν Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν τὸν Κύριον, ἐν αὐτῷ περιπατεῖτε,
6. As you therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7. ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ ἐποικοδομούμενοι ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ βεβαιούμενοι ἐν τῇ πίστει, καθὼς ἐδιδάχθητε, περισσεύοντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ.
7. having been firmly rooted and being built up in him and being established in the faith just as you were instructed, overflowing therein with gratitude.
8. βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν·
8. See that none will be taking you captive through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ,
9. ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ κατοικεῖ πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος σωματικῶς,
9. that in him dwells bodily all the fullness of deity,
10. καὶ ἐστὲ ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι, ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας·
10. and you having been made mature are in him, who is the head of every ruler and power,
11. ἐν ᾧ καὶ περιετμήθητε περιτομῇ ἀχειροποιήτῳ, ἐν τῇ ἀπεκδύσει τοῦ σώματος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῆς σαρκός, ἐν τῇ περιτομῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
11. in whom also you were circumcised with circumcision not made by human hands for the stripping off of the body of sin of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,
12. συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, ἐν ᾧ καὶ συνηγέρθητε διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν.
12. with him, we were buried together in baptism in whom also you were raised through the faith of the working of God who raised him from the dead.
13. καὶ ὑμᾶς νεκροὺς ὄντας ἐν τοῖς παραπτώμασι καὶ τῇ ἀκροβυστίᾳ τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν, συνεζωοποίησε σὺν αὐτῷ, χαρισάμενος ὑμῖν πάντα τὰ παραπτώματα,
13. And you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumscision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, having forgiven you for all trespasses,
14. ἐξαλείψας τὸ καθʼ ἡμῶν χειρόγραφον τοῖς δόγμασιν, ὃ ἦν ὑπεναντίον ἡμῖν· καὶ αὐτὸ ἦρκεν ἐκ τοῦ μέσου, προσηλώσας αὐτὸ τῷ σταυρῷ·
14. having wiped away the account that was against us, with its requirements, which were hostile to us, and has removed it from the midst, having himself nailed it to the cross,
15. ἀπεκδυσάμενος τὰς ἀρχὰς καὶ τὰς ἐξουσίας, ἐδειγμάτισεν ἐν παρρησίᾳ, θριαμβεύσας αὐτοὺς ἐν αὐτῷ.
15. having stripped off the rulers and the authorities, he made a public example, triumphing over them in him.
16. Μὴ οὖν τις ὑμᾶς κρινέτω ἐν βρώσει ἢ ἐν πόσει, ἢ ἐν μέρει ἑορτῆς ἢ νουμηνίας ἢ σαββάτων·
16. Let none, therefore, judge you in eating or in drinking or with regard to a feast or new moon or sabbaths,
17. ἅ ἐστι σκιὰ τῶν μελλόντων, τὸ δὲ σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
17. which are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
18. μηδεὶς ὑμᾶς καταβραβευέτω θέλων ἐν ταπεινοφροσύνῃ καὶ θρησκείᾳ τῶν ἀγγέλων, ἃ μὴ ἑώρακεν ἐμβατεύων, εἰκῇ φυσιούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ νοὸς τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ,
18. Let no one rob you of a prize taking pleasure in humility and worship of the angels, which have not appeared, going into vain detail, groundlessly inflated by the mind of his flesh,
19. καὶ οὐ κρατῶν τὴν κεφαλήν, ἐξ οὗ πᾶν τὸ σῶμα, διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν καὶ συνδέσμων ἐπιχορηγούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον, αὔξει τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ Θεοῦ.
19. and not holding fast the head, from which all the body through the joints and fetters are supplied and united together, growing through the growth from God.
20. Εἰ οὖν ἀπεθάνετε σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ, ἀπὸ τῶν στοιχείων τοῦ κόσμου, τί ὡς ζῶντες ἐν κόσμῳ δογματίζεσθε,
20. If therefore you died with Christ to the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you obligate yourselves to rules and ordinances?
21. Μὴ ἅψῃ, μηδὲ γεύσῃ, μηδὲ θίγῃς
21. “Neither handle, nor taste, nor touch”
22. (ἅ ἐστι πάντα εἰς φθορὰν τῇ ἀποχρήσει), κατὰ τὰ ἐντάλματα καὶ διδασκαλίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων;
22. (all of which perish with use), according to the commandments and teachings of men;
23. ἅτινά ἐστι λόγον μὲν ἔχοντα σοφίας ἐν ἐθελοθρησκείᾳ καὶ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ καὶ ἀφειδίᾳ σώματος, οὐκ ἐν τιμῇ τινι πρὸς πλησμονὴν τῆς σαρκός.
23. These things having a claim to wisdom in self-made religion, in humility, and in severe treatment of the body, but have no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
[Chap 1] [Chap 2 -Top] [Chap 4]
Chapter 3
Greek Text
English Translation
1. Εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε, οὗ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ Θεοῦ καθήμενος.
1. If, therefore, you were raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God;
2. τὰ ἄνω φρονεῖτε, μὴ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
2. set your mind on the things above, not the things on the earth;
3. ἀπεθάνετε γάρ, καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ.
3. for you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
4. ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ἡμῶν, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ.
4. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed in glory with him.
5. Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρεία,
5. Therefore, put to death your members that are on the earth—fornication, vileness, passion, evil lust, and avarice which is idolatry—
6. διʼ ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας·
6. because of which the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience;
7. ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑμεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε, ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν αὔτοις.
7. in which you also formerly walked, when you were living in them.
8. νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυμόν, κακίαν, βλασφημίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν·
8. But now, you yourselves, put away these things—anger, rage, wickedness, slander, and obscene speech—from your mouth;
9. μὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ,
9. do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his evil deeds,
10. καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον, τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατʼ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν·
10. and having put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the likeness of the one having created him;
11. ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος· ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσι Χριστός.
11. where there is no Greek and Jew, circumscision and uncircumscision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free, but Christ is all and in all.
12. Ἐνδύσασθε οὖν, ὡς ἐκλεκτοὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἅγιοι καὶ ἠγαπημένοι, σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμῶν, χρηστότητα, ταπεινοφροσύνην, πρᾳότητα, μακροθυμίαν·
12. Therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience;
13. ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων, καὶ χαριζόμενοι ἑαυτοῖς ἐάν τις πρός τινα ἔχῃ μομφήν· καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς ἐχαρίσατο ὑμῖν, οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς·
13. enduring each other and forgiving one another, if anyone has cause for complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, thus, also you;
14. ἐπὶ πᾶσι δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ἥτις ἐστὶ σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος.
14. but above all these, put on love, which is the bond of completeness;
15. καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Θεοῦ βραβευέτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, εἰς ἣν καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι· καὶ εὐχάριστοι γίνεσθε.
15. and let the peace of God rule your hearts, to which, indeed, you have been called in one body and be thankful.
16. ὁ λόγος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐνοικείτω ἐν ὑμῖν πλουσίως, ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ· διδάσκοντες καὶ νουθετοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ψαλμοῖς, καὶ ὕμνοις, καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς, ἐν χάριτι ᾄδοντες ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ.
16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom; teaching and exhorting one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, in graciousness singing in your hearts to the Lord.
17. καὶ πᾶν ὅ τι ἂν ποιῆτε, ἐν λόγῳ ἢ ἐν ἔργῳ, πάντα ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ Θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ διʼ αὐτοῦ.
17. And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18. Αἱ γυναῖκες, ὑποτάσσεσθε τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν, ὡς ἀνῆκεν ἐν Κυρίῳ.
18. Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands, as fitting in the Lord.
19. οἱ ἄνδρες, ἀγαπᾶτε τὰς γυναῖκας, καὶ μὴ πικραίνεσθε πρὸς αὐτάς.
19. Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter towards them.
20. τὰ τέκνα, ὑπακούετε τοῖς γονεῦσι κατὰ πάντα· τοῦτο γὰρ ἐστιν εὐάρεστόν τῷ Κυρίῳ.
20. Children, obey your parents in everything; for this is pleasing to the Lord.
21. οἱ πατέρες, μὴ ἐρεθίζετε τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, ἵνα μὴ ἀθυμῶσιν.
21. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they do not become discouraged.
22. Οἱ δοῦλοι, ὑπακούετε κατὰ πάντα τοῖς κατὰ σάρκα κυρίοις, μὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοδουλείαις ὡς ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι, ἀλλʼ ἐν ἁπλότητι καρδίας, φοβούμενοι τὸν Θεόν·
22. Slaves, obey in everything your earthly masters, not in eyeservice as menpleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing God;
23. καὶ πᾶν ὃ τι ἐὰν ποιῆτε, ἐκ ψυχῆς ἐργάζεσθε, ὡς τῷ Κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις·
23. whatever you do, in everything, work from the soul as to the Lord and not to men;
24. εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπὸ Κυρίου ἀπολήψεσθε τὴν ἀνταπόδοσιν τῆς κληρονομίας· τῷ γὰρ Κυρίῳ Χριστῷ δουλεύετε.
24. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
25. ὁ δὲ ἀδικῶν κομιεῖται ὃ ἠδίκησε· καὶ οὐκ ἔστι προσωποληψία.
25. But the one who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong he has done; and there is no partiality.
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Chapter 4
Greek Text
English Translation
1. οἱ κύριοι, τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα τοῖς δούλοις παρέχεσθε, εἰδότες ὅτι καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔχετε Κύριον ἐν οὐρανοῖς.
1. Masters, render to your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a master in heaven.
2. Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε, γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ·
2. persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;
3. προσευχόμενοι ἅμα καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν, ἵνα ὁ Θεὸς ἀνοίξῃ ἡμῖν θύραν τοῦ λόγου, λαλῆσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ, διʼ ὃ καὶ δέδεμαι·
3. at the same time, praying also concerning us, so that God opens to us a door for the word to speak the mystery of Christ, for which, I am also bound.
4. ἵνα φανερώσω αὐτό, ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι.
4. That I may reveal it, as it is necessary for me to speak.
5. ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω, τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι.
5. Walk in wisdom toward those outside, making the most of the time.
6. ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν πάντοτε ἐν χάριτι, ἅλατι ἠρτυμένος, εἰδέναι πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἀποκρίνεσθαι.
6. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7. Τὰ κατʼ ἐμὲ πάντα γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικός, ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος καὶ σύνδουλος ἐν Κυρίῳ·
7. Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow-slave in the Lord, will make all things concerning me known to you;
8. ὃν ἔπεμψα πρὸς ὑμᾶς εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, ἵνα γνῷ τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν, καὶ παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν·
8. whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know things concerning you and exhort your hearts;
9. σὺν Ὀνησίμῳ τῷ πιστῷ καὶ ἀγαπητῷ ἀδελφῷ, ὅς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν. πάντα ὑμῖν γνωριοῦσι τὰ ὧδε.
9. with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is of you. They will make known to you all the things here.
10. Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἀρίσταρχος ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου, καὶ Μᾶρκος ὁ ἀνεψιὸς Βαρνάβᾳ (περὶ οὗ ἐλάβετε ἐντολάς· ἐὰν ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς, δέξασθε αὐτόν),
10. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions—if he should come to you, receive him),
11. καὶ Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Ἰοῦστος, οἱ ὄντες ἐκ περιτομῆς· οὗτοι μόνοι συνεργοὶ εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, οἵτινες ἐγενήθησάν μοι παρηγορία.
11. and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my fellow workers in the kingdom of God, and they have become a comfort to me.
12. ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἐπαφρᾶς ὁ ἐξ ὑμῶν, δοῦλος Χριστοῦ, πάντοτε ἀγωνιζόμενος ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ἵνα στῆτε τέλειοι καὶ πεπληρωμένοι ἐν παντὶ θελήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ.
12. Epaphras, who is one of you, slave of Christ, greets you, at all times striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13. μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ ὅτι ἔχει ζῆλον πολὺν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καὶ τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ καὶ τῶν ἐν Ἱεραπόλει.
13. For I testify for him that he has great zeal for you and those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14. ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Λουκᾶς ὁ ἰατρὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς, καὶ Δημᾶς.
14. Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and Demas.
15. ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ ἀδελφοὺς, καὶ Νύμφαν, καὶ τὴν κατʼ οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἐκκλησίαν.
15. Greet the brothers in Laodicea and Nympha and the Church in his house.
16. καὶ ὅταν ἀναγνωσθῇ παρʼ ὑμῖν ἡ ἐπιστολή, ποιήσατε ἵνα καὶ ἐν τῇ Λαοδικέων ἐκκλησίᾳ ἀναγνωσθῇ, καὶ τὴν ἐκ Λαοδικείας ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀναγνῶτε.
16. When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the Laodicean church, and that you read the one from Laodicea.
17. καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ, Βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν Κυρίῳ, ἵνα αὐτὴν πληροῖς.
17. Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry you have received from the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18. Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. μνημονεύετέ μου τῶν δεσμῶν. ἡ χάρις μεθʼ ὑμῶν. ἀμήν.
18. The greeting by my hand—of Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace with you. Amen.
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