and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ,

And it has brought you, who were once estranged from him, hostile in attitude and engaged in doing wrong (though now he has reconciled you

In it, by divine appointment, I became a worker, that I might preach among you the message of God in its fulness??26 that secret, hidden from the ages and generations, but now disclosed to those who are consecrated to him,

For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,

that your hearts may be cheered. I want you to be united by love, and to have all the benefit of assured knowledge in coming to know Christ??3 that divine mystery in which all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found.

So no one can call you to account for what you eat or drink, or do about annual or monthly feasts or Sabbaths.

No one can put you in the wrong by persisting in studied humility and the worship of angels, being absorbed in the visions he has seen, and groundlessly conceited over his mere human mind.

Such practices pass for wisdom, with their self-imposed devotions, their self-humiliation, and their ascetic discipline, but they carry with them no real distinction, they are really only a catering to the flesh.

For you have died, and your life now lies hidden with Christ in God.

But now you too must put them all aside??nger, rage, spite, rough, abusive talk??hese must be banished from your lips.

and have put on that new self newly made in the likeness of its Creator, to know him fully.

for you know that it is from him that you are to receive that inheritance which is to be your reward. Think of Christ as the master you are working for.

For the man who wrongs anyone will be paid back for the wrong he has done; there will be no exceptions.

I am sending him to you for the express purpose of letting you know my circumstances, and of cheering your hearts.