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

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

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

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

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

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

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,

For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

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

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

For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

For 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 fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

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

For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.