Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God,

and Timothy our brother, to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ at Colosse: grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

For this cause we also, from the day that we heard it, cease not to pray for you, and to request that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:

in whom we have redemption by his blood, even the remission of sins.

for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all were created by Him, and for Him.

He is before all, and by Him all things subsist.

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace by the blood of his cross; by Him only, whether they be things on earth, or things in heaven.

And you that were formerly alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works,

if so be ye continue grounded and settled in the faith, and be not moved from the gospel, which ye have heard, and which hath been preached throughout the whole creation, of which I Paul am a minister.

that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all the riches of a full assurance of understanding in these things, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of our God and Father, and of Christ:

For though I be absent in body, yet am I with you in spirit, rejoicing and beholding your regularity, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Take heed least any one make a prey of you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

and cancelled the obligation we were under by ritual decrees, which was grievous to us, and hath taken it quite away, even nailing it to his cross.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made them an open spectacle, triumphing over them by it.

Let no one deprive you of your reward by an affected humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into what he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind;

and not adhering to the head, from which all the body, being supplied and held together as by joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

If therefore ye be dead with Christ from the elements of the world; why, as if living in the world, are ye subject to ceremonial ordinances,

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

And let the peace of God preside in your hearts, to which ye are also called as united in one body: and be thankful for it.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another by psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude singing in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to our God and Father by Him.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as becometh you in the Lord:

and ye husbands, love your wives, and be not embittered against them.

and ye fathers, do not irritate your children, least they be discouraged.

Servants, be obedient in all things to your lawful masters, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in uprightness of heart, fearing God; and whatever service ye do,

Persevere in prayer, and be watchful in it, with thanksgiving.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with discretion to know how ye ought to answer every one.

And when this letter has been read amongst you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; that ye may also read that from Laodicea.

The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.