since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints,

which has reached you as it spreads over all the world with fruit and increase. Such has been your life from the day you learned to know what God's grace really is.

and it is he who has informed us of your love in the Spirit.

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!

May their hearts be encouraged! May they learn the meaning of love! May they have all the wealth of conviction that comes from insight! May they learn to know that open secret of God, the Father of Christ,

Since you have had the messiah, even Jesus the Lord, brought to you, lead your life in him,

it is in him that you reach your full life, and he is the Head of every angelic Ruler and Power;

For though you were dead in your trespasses, your flesh uncircumcised, He made you live with Christ, He forgave us all our trespasses,

As you died with Christ to the Elemental spirits of the world, why live as if you still belonged to the world? Why submit to rules and regulations like

for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you will appear with him in glory.

And above all you must be loving, for love is the link of the perfect life.

Let the inspiration of Christ dwell in your midst with all its wealth of wisdom; teach and train one another with the music of psalms, with hymns, and songs of the spiritual life; praise God with thankful hearts.

Husbands, love your wives, do not be harsh to them.