because we have heard about your faith in the Messiah Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints,

For this reason, since the day we heard about this, we have not stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the full knowledge of God's will with respect to all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

through whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether they are kings, lords, rulers, or powers. All things have been created through him and for him.

He is also the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself might have first place in everything.

For God was pleased to have all of his divine essence inhabit him.

However, you must remain firmly established and steadfast in the faith, without being moved from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

For I want you to know how much I struggle for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have never seen me face to face.

So then, just as you have received the Messiah Jesus the Lord, continue to live dependent on him.

For you have been rooted in him and are being built up and strengthened in the faith, just as you were taught, while you continue to be thankful.

And you have been filled by him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.

If you have died with the Messiah to the basic principles of the world, why are you submitting to its decrees as though you still lived in the world?

These things have the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion, humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they have no value against self-indulgence.

Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.

For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiah in God.

Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices

and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it.

Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

At the same time also pray for us that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah, for which I have been imprisoned.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him.

Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been an encouragement to me.

When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and be sure to read the one from Laodicea.

Tell Archippus, "See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord."