because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Long ago you heard of this hope in the message which came to you of the truth of the gospel.

Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

You learned [this truth] from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow-slave, who is a faithful minister of Christ [to you] on our behalf.

And therefore we, from the very day that we heard this, have never ceased praying for you, or asking that you may possess that deeper knowledge of the will of God, which comes through all true spiritual wisdom and insight.

Through your relation to him you have received not a physical circumcision, but a circumcision effected by Christ, in stripping you of your material nature,

Let no one therefore judge you on account of meat, or drink, or in respect of a feast, or a new-moon, or sabbaths;

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

You slaves should obey your earthly masters in everything, [and] do not do it just when they are looking [at you], or to gain their favor, but do it with a sincere heart, out of reverence for the Lord.

The dear brother Tychicus shall tell you of all my business, which is a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord,

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

these are the only persons, who, of the circumcision, have been my fellow-laborers in the kingdom of God, and who were a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.