which is come to you, as it is in all the world, and is bearing fruit and growing, as it doth also in you, from the day ye heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth;

even as ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellowservant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf;

On this account we also, from the day we heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

that ye may walk worthily of the Lord so as to please him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

For I would have you know what a great struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

As therefore ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

If ye died with Christ to the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, such as,

Clothe yourselves, therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, with compassionate affections, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

bearing with each other, and forgiving each other, if any one have a complaint against another; even as Christ freely forgave you, do ye also freely forgive;

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.

Whatever ye do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men,

knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the recompense of the inheritance; serve Christ as your Lord.

that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.