and really came to know it, in the form in which Epaphras, my dear fellow-slave, taught it to you. He is my faithful representative as a servant of Christ,

and it is he who has told me of the love the Spirit has awakened in you.

so that the lives you live may be worthy of your Master and wholly pleasing to him, and you may be fruitful in all kinds of good deeds, and may grow into fuller knowledge of God.

At present I am glad to be suffering in your interest, and I am making up in my own person what is lacking in Christ's sufferings for the church, which is his body.

That is what I am working for, fighting with all the energy with which he so mightily endows me.

For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,

that your hearts may be cheered. I want you to be united by love, and to have all the benefit of assured knowledge in coming to know Christ??3 that divine mystery in which all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found.

Fathers, do not irritate your children, or they may lose heart.

Pray for me too, that God may give me an opening for the message, and let me tell the secret of Christ on account of which I am kept in prison

Our dear brother Tychicus, my faithful helper and fellow-servant in the Lord's work, will tell you all about me.

I am sending him to you for the express purpose of letting you know my circumstances, and of cheering your hearts.

And with him I send my dear, faithful brother Onesimus, who is one of your own number. They will tell you all about matters here.

Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you, and so does Barnabas' cousin Mark. (About him you have had instructions; if he comes to see you, make him welcome.)

So also does Jesus who is called Justus. They are the only ones among the converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the reign of God who have proved a comfort to me.

Epaphras, one of your own number, a slave of Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you. He is always standing up for you in his prayers that you may stand fast, like men of mature convictions, whatever God's will for you may be.

Remember me to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets at her house.

This farewell is in my own hand, from Paul. Remember that I am in prison. God bless you.