We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints,

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel

For this reason also, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him.

For all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in him

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share for the sake of his body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

Of this church I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

For this end I labor, striving with all his energy, which so mightily works within me.

For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face in the flesh,

For even though I am absent in flesh, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

For in him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

Let no one disqualify you for the prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, puffed up without cause by his fleshly mind,

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free, but Christ is all, and in all.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

For he who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

And pray for us as well, that God may open a door to us for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved to be a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a servant of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.