for the sake of that happiness, which you hope for, and is reserv'd for you in heaven, of which you have already been inform'd by the preaching of the truth, that is, the gospel:

For this cause, ever since we heard of it, we incessantly pray for you, requesting that you may be endued with respect to the knowledge of his will, with all wisdom and spiritual discernment:

that your conduct may be worthy of the Lord, in every respect agreeable to him, being friutful in every kind of virtue, and increasing in divine knowledge:

giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in that light he affords to his people:

It is by him, that we have obtain'd the redemption, even the remission of our sins:

for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, both visible and invisible, the thrones, and the sovereigntys, the principalitys, and the powers: all were created by him, and for him: he is before all things,

he himself is the head of the church, which is his body. he is the prince, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be chief.

You then that formerly were alienated from God, and were enemies by your imaginations and wicked practices, even you has Jesus Christ now reconciled to the body of his church,

provided you continue well-grounded and settled in the faith, and do not abandon that hope which has been offer'd to you by the gospel, and is proclaim'd to all mankind; of which I Paul am made a minister.

that mystery, which has been hid from ages and generations, but is now made manifest to his saints:

to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory."

he it is that we preach, exhorting, and instructing men in every part of divine knowledge, that they may all be perfectly acquainted with the doctrine of Christ Jesus.

this is what I earnestly strive to effect, by virtue of that power, which effectually operates in me.

that their hearts might be comforted, and that being firmly united in love, they might possess the highest and fullest persuasion of the truth of this doctrine, by entring into this mystery, even of God the father, and of Christ,

which were buried (as Christ was) in your baptism, by virtue of which you rise (as he did) to a new life, through a belief of that divine power, which raised him from the dead.

and cancell'd the obligation of the ceremonial law, which was disadvantageous to us, removing that which divided us, and nailing it to the cross.

If then you are dead with Christ, in respect of those shadows of the Jewish state; why do ye, as if you were still in that state, submit to those ordinances?

"don't eat this, don't taste that, nor touch it:"

If then you are risen with Christ, seek the things, that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God.

Mortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters.

children, obey your parents upon all occasions, for that is graceful in a christian.

knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward.

but he that does wrong shall be punish'd for his injustice: for no regard will be shown to the external characters of men.

as for you, masters, give to your servants what is just and suitable: considering that you also have a master in heaven.

put up your requests likewise for me, that God would give me an opportunity to declare the mystery of Christ (for which I am even in bonds:)

that I may publish it in the manner, it should necessarily be done.

have cordially reliev'd me. Epaphras a servant of Christ, and your countryman, salutes you, who is always very earnest in his prayers, that you may be perfectly acquainted with, and constantly observe,

the whole will of God. for I can witness for him, that he is ardently concern'd for you, and the christians of Laodicea,

church which uses to meet in his house. when this epistle has been read among you, take care that it be read likewise in the church of the Laodiceans, and

that you read the epistle from Laodicea. give Archippus this instruction from me, take care to discharge the function, you