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

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye have heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

As ye also learned from Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are upon earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Of which I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

For which I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

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

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

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

For which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

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

Knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

But he that doeth wrong, will receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

At the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, that he may know your state, and comfort your hearts;

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For I bear him testimony, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.