We give thanks to God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you in our prayers,

for the hope's sake which is laid up in store for you in heaven, of which hope ye have heard before by the true word of the gospel,

as ye learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, which is for you a faithful minister of Christ,

For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it have not ceased praying for you, and desiring that ye might be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.

For it pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell,

Now joy I in my sufferings which I suffer, for you; and fulfill that which is behind of the passions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the congregation -

Wherein I also labour and strive, even as far forth as his working worketh in me mightily.

I would ye knew what fighting I have for your sakes, and for them of Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my person in the flesh,

that their hearts might be comforted and knit together in love, and in all riches of full understanding, for to know the mystery of God the father and of Christ:

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I present with you in the spirit, joying and beholding the order that ye keep, and your steadfast faith in Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,

Let no man therefore trouble your consciences about meat and drink: or for a piece of a holy day, as the holy day of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day:

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

for which thing's sakes the wrath of God cometh on the children of unbelief.

Where is neither gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarous or Scythian, bond or free: But Christ is all in all things.

Children, obey your fathers and mothers, in all things, for that is well pleasing unto the Lord.

forasmuch as ye know that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.

But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong that he hath done: for there is no respect of persons.

praying also for us, that God open unto us the door of utterance, that we may speak the mystery of Christ - wherefore I am in bonds -

whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know how ye do, and might comfort your hearts,

Epaphras the servant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and always laboureth fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect, and full in all that is the will of God.