Now that we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all his People,

And therefore we, from the very day that we heard this, have never ceased praying for you, or asking that you may possess that deeper knowledge of the will of God, which comes through all true spiritual wisdom and insight.

For God has rescued us from the tyranny of Darkness, and has removed us into the Kingdom of his Son, who is the embodiment of his love,

For Christ is the very incarnation of the invisible God-- First-born and Head of all creation;

For in him was created all that is in Heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible--Angels and Archangels and all the Powers of Heaven.

All has been created through him and for him. He was before all things, and all things unite in him;

For it pleased the Father that in him the divine nature in all its fulness should dwell,

Now at last I can rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and in my own person I supplement the afflictions endured by the Christ, for the sake of his Body, the Church;

Of which I myself became a minister in virtue of the office with which God entrusted me for your benefit, to declare the Message of God in all its fulness--

It is for that I toil, struggling with all the energy which he inspires and which works powerfully within me.

I want you to know in how great a struggle I am engaged for you and for Christ's People at Laodicea, and for all who have not yet seen me;

In the hope that they, being bound to one another by love, and keeping in view the full blessedness of a firm conviction, may be encouraged to strive for a perfect knowledge of God's hidden Truth,

For in Christ the Godhead in all its fulness dwells incarnate;

For in baptism you were buried with Christ; and in baptism you were also raised to Life with him, through your faith in the omnipotence of God, who raised him from the dead.

For all the things referred to in them cease to exist when used. You are following mere human directions and instructions.

Such prohibitions appear reasonable where there is a desire for self-imposed service, and so-called 'humility,' and harsh treatment of the body, but are of no real value against the indulgence of our earthly nature.

Since, therefore, you were raised to Life with the Christ, seek for the things that are above; for it is there that the Christ is 'seated at the right hand of God.'

For you died, and your Life now lies hidden, with the Christ, in God.

And to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.

Bearing with one another, and, when there is any ground for complaint, forgiving one another freely. As the Master freely forgave you, so you must forgive one another.

Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the girdle which makes all complete.

Let the Peace that the Christ gives decide all doubts within your hearts; for you also were called to the enjoyment of peace as members of one Body. And show yourselves thankful.

Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord.

Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please men, but giving them ungrudging service, in your reverence for the Master.

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for men,

Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master--in Heaven.

And at the same time pray for us, that God may give us an opening for our Message, so that we may speak of the truths hidden in the Christ--the truths for which I am in chains!

Joshua, who is called Justus, also sends his greeting. These are the only converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the kingdom of God; I have found them a great comfort.