having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love which ye have towards all the saints,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins;

because by him were created all things, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or authorities: all things have been created by him and for him.

And he is the head of the body, the assembly; who is the beginning, firstborn from among the dead, that he might have the first place in all things:

if indeed ye abide in the faith founded and firm, and not moved away from the hope of the glad tidings, which ye have heard, which have been proclaimed in the whole creation which is under heaven, of which I Paul became minister.

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

As therefore ye have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

rooted and built up in him, and assured in the faith, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

in whom also ye have been circumcised with circumcision not done by hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ;

buried with him in baptism, in which ye have been also raised with him through faith of the working of God who raised him from among the dead.

If ye have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why as if alive in the world do ye subject yourselves to ordinances?

(which have indeed an appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship, and humility, and harsh treatment of the body, not in a certain honour,) to the satisfaction of the flesh.

If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things which are above, where the Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God:

have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth;

for ye have died, and your life is hid with the Christ in God.

forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any should have a complaint against any; even as the Christ has forgiven you, so also do ye.

And let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful.

Masters, give to bondmen what is just and fair, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he might know your state, and that he might encourage your hearts:

Aristarchus my fellow-captive salutes you, and Mark, Barnabas's cousin, concerning whom ye have received orders, (if he come to you, receive him,)

and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are the only fellow-workers for the kingdom of God who have been a consolation to me.