I continually give thanks upon your account, making mention of you in my prayers;

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him:

an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.

This it is that makes me Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ upon your account, O Gentiles;

if so be you have heard of the charge, which God has graciously dispens'd to me for you Gentiles;

having revealed to me the secret, I now mention'd in short,

by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ.

of this I was made a minister, according to the gracious gift God bestowed on me, by the effectual operation of his influence:

upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ;

for this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

so that your souls may be possess'd with faith in Christ.

Be ye rooted and grounded in social virtue, that you may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of this mystery:

and be sensible of his exceeding love, in giving you the knowledge of Christ, that you may be filled with all the supplies of divine bounty.

but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head:

let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, to encrease his fortune with his own hands, that he may have wherewithal to relieve the needy:

let no obscene language defile your mouth, use only such as tends to edification, that it may be beneficial to the hearers.

that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst be long-lived on the earth."

Finally, my brethren, place your strength in the transcendent power of the Lord.

put on the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground.

in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,

for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full.

As to the state of my affairs, and health, Tychicus our dear brother, and faithful minister in the Lord, will very particularly acquaint you with them.

may our brethren have peace, social affection, and faith from God the father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.