because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people,

because of your hope of what is laid up for you in heaven. Long ago you heard of this hope through the message of the good news

which reached you, and since it is bearing fruit and growing among you, just as it is all over the world, from the day you first heard of God's favor and in reality came to know it,

This is why, ever since I heard of it, I have never ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you, through full wisdom and spiritual insight, with a clear knowledge of His will,

if indeed you continue well grounded and firm in faith and never shift from the hope inspired by the good news you heard, which has been preached all over the world, and of which I, Paul, have been made a minister.

Fathers, stop exasperating your children, so as to keep them from losing heart.

Slaves, practice obedience to your earthly masters in everything, not as though they were watching you and as though you were merely pleasing men, but with sincerity of heart, because you fear the Lord.

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as work for the Lord and not for men,