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

on account of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

On this account we also, from the day we heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

for in him were created all things, those in the heavens, and those on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things have been created through him and for him;

for God was pleased that in him all the fullness should dwell, and by him to reconcile all things to himself,

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up instead that which is wanting of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh on behalf of his body, which is the church;

of which I became a minister, according to the stewardship which God entrusted to me, for you, to fulfill the word of God,

the mystery which hath been hidden for ages and generations, but hath been now revealed to his saints;

For I would have you know what a great struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with you, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

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

which things have indeed a show of wisdom in willworship and humiliation and severity to the body, not in any honor for the satisfying of the flesh.

For ye died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God;

Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is wellpleasing in the Lord.

For he that doeth wrong, shall receive back the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.

praying at the same time for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am also in bonds;

whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your condition, and comfort your hearts;

and Jesus, who is called Justus; who are of the circumcision; these only are my fellowworkers for the kingdom of God, who have been an encouragement unto me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and those that are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.