To Christ's People at Colossae--the Brothers who are faithful to him: May God, our Father, bless you and give you peace.

And you will give thanks to the Father who made you fit to share the lot which awaits Christ's People in the realms of Light.

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven. He made peace [with mankind] through the [sacrificial] blood of Christ's [death on the] cross.

yet now God has reconciled [you] to Himself through the death of Christ's physical body in order to present you holy, without fault and free from just blame before Him [on judgment day].

Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church.

It is His will that they should understand the glorious wealth which this secret holds for the Gentiles, in the fact of Christ's presence among you as your hope of glory.

I want you to know in how great a struggle I am engaged for you and for Christ's People at Laodicea, and for all who have not yet seen me;

in him you have been circumcised with no material circumcision that cuts flesh from the body, but with Christ's own circumcision,

which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].

You know that from the Lord you will receive reward of the inheritance, for you are the Lord Christ's slaves.