He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body -- for the sake of his body, the church -- what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God -- given to me for you -- in order to complete the word of God,

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well.