even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

Giving praise to the Father who has given us a part in the heritage of the saints in 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;

Who, is an image of the unseen God, Firstborn of all creation, -

And HE IS before all things and in and through Him the universe is a harmonious whole.

And himself is the head of the body -- the assembly -- who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all things -- himself -- first,

for which [purpose] also I labor, striving according to his working which is at work powerfully in me.

for although I am absent in body I am with you in spirit, and it is a joy to note your steadiness and the solid front of your faith in Christ.

See that there be no one who shall lead you away as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.

Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind,

Such prohibitions appear reasonable where there is a desire for self-imposed service, and so-called 'humility,' and harsh treatment of the body, but are of no real value against the indulgence of our earthly nature.

Therefore put to death your earthward inclinations--fornication, impurity, sensual passion, unholy desire, and all greed, for that is a form of idolatry.

and above all these things, have love, which is a bond of the perfection,

Let the teaching concerning Christ remain as a rich treasure in your hearts. In all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing with grace in your hearts to God.

Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.

Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men.

You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah whom you are serving!

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

As to all my affairs, Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information.

Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God's will.

Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is at his house.

And tell Archippus to discharge carefully the duties devolving upon him as a servant of the Lord.