Paul, by God's will an apostle of Christ Jesus, to God's people who are steadfast in Christ Jesus;

and in arranging, when the time should have fully come, that everything in heaven and on earth should be unified in Christ??11 the Christ through whom it is our lot to have been predestined by the design of him who in everything carries out the purpose of his will,

As you read that, you will be able to understand the insight I have into the secret of the Christ

No bad word must ever pass your lips, but only words that are good and suited to improve the occasion, so that they will be a blessing to those who hear them.

So it says, "Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, And Christ will dawn upon you!"

So do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

not with mere external service, as though you had only men to please, but like slaves of Christ, carrying out the will of God.

for you know that everyone, slave or free, will be rewarded by the Lord for his good conduct.

You who are masters, too, must treat your slaves in the same way, and cease to threaten them, for you know that their Master and yours is in heaven, and that he will show no partiality.

So you must take God's armor, so that when the evil day comes you will be able to make a stand, and when it is all over to hold your ground.

Besides all these, take faith for your shield, for with it you will be able to put out all the flaming missiles of the evil one,

In order that you also may know how I am, our dear brother Tychicus, a faithful helper in the Lord's service, will tell you all about it.