to the holy and believing brothers in Christ who are in Colosse. Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father.

To them God willed to make known among the Gentiles how glorious are the riches of that secret truth, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

since you are rooted in him, and in him continually built up. Be firmly established in the faith as you were taught it, and continually abound in it with thanksgiving.

If you died with Christ to the world's rudimentary notions, why, as if you still lived in the world, do you submit yourselves to dogmatisms found on teachings and doctrines of men??21 such as "Do not handle this," "You must not taste that," "Do not touch this"??22 all things which are intended to perish in the using?

For these precepts, although they have a show of wisdom with their self-imposed devotions and fastings and bodily austerities, are of no real value against the indulgence of the carnal appetites.

If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ abides, seated on the right hand of God.

These things are ever bringing down the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience,

You know that from the Lord you will receive reward of the inheritance, for you are the Lord Christ's slaves.

These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, belonging to the circumcision, who have been any comfort to me.