To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it , do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;

if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church;

whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;

that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ,

This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross;

If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,

and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

whom I have sent you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;

together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.

Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.

And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.