to the devoted and steadfast Christian brothers in Colossae; God our Father bless you and give you peace.

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

Through the hope which is in store for you in heaven; knowledge of which was given to you before in the true word of the good news,

As it was given to you by Epaphras, our well-loved helper, who is a true servant of Christ for us,

That is why, from the day I first heard of it, I have never given up praying for you and asking God to fill you, through full spiritual wisdom and insight, with a clear knowledge of what his will is,

so that you may lead a life that is worthy of the Lord and give him entire satisfaction. May you be fruitful and increase in the doing of all good, as you thus know God!

I ask that you may give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to receive our share of the heritage of the saints in the light.

Who has made us free from the power of evil and given us a place in the kingdom of the Son of his love;

Also, he is the head of the Body, that is, of the church, in virtue of his primacy as the first to be born from the dead ??that gives him pre-eminence over all.

If you keep yourselves safely based in the faith, not moved from the hope of the good news which came to you, and which was given to every living being under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.

whereof am I made a minister according to the ordinance of God, which ordinance was given me unto you ward, to fulfill the word of God:

To whom God was pleased to give knowledge of the wealth of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

For it is my desire to give you news of the great fight I am making for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face in the flesh;

and to you also who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he given life together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;

And not joined to the Head, from whom all the body, being given strength and kept together through its joins and bands, has its growth with the increase of God.

If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Give your minds to the things that are above, not to the things that are on the earth.

Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts, for you were called to this state as members of one body. And practice being thankful.

And whatever you say or do, let it all be done with reference to the Lord Jesus, and through Him continue to give thanks to God the Father.

Being certain that the Lord will give you the reward of the heritage: for you are the servants of the Lord Christ.

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

You must persevere in prayer and by this means stay wide awake when you give thanks.

And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;

Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.

Tychicus will give you news of all my business: he is a dear brother and true servant and helper in the word;

And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may have news of how we are, and so that he may give your hearts comfort;

And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here.

Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas; if he comes to see you, give him a hearty welcome.

For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house.

Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.

I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.