To the saints which are at Colossae, and brethren that believe in Christ. Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it have not ceased praying for you, and desiring that ye might be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

that ye might walk worthy of the Lord in all things that please, being fruitful in all good works and increasing in the knowledge of God

in whom we have redemption through his blood, that is to say, forgiveness of sins,

for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.

And he is the head of the body, that is, to wit, of the congregation: he is the beginning and first begotten of the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell,

if ye continue grounded and established in the faith, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, whereof ye have heard, how that it is preached among all creatures, which are under heaven, whereof I, Paul, am made a minister.

Now joy I in my sufferings which I suffer, for you; and fulfill that which is behind of the passions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the congregation -

that mystery, hid since the world began, and since the beginning of generations: But now is opened to his saints,

that their hearts might be comforted and knit together in love, and in all riches of full understanding, for to know the mystery of God the father and of Christ:

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I present with you in the spirit, joying and beholding the order that ye keep, and your steadfast faith in Christ.

In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, by putting off the sinful body of the flesh, through the circumcision that is in Christ,

in that ye are buried with him through baptism, in whom ye are also risen again through faith, that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death.

and hath put out the handwriting that was against us, contained in the law written, and that hath he taken out of the way, and hath fastened it to his cross,

and holdeth not the head: whereof all the body by joints and couples receiveth nourishment, and is knit together, and increaseth with the increasing that cometh of God.

Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from ordinances of the world: Why as though ye yet lived in the world, are ye led with traditions of them that say

which things have the similitude of wisdom in chosen holiness, and humbleness, and in that they spare not the body - and do the flesh no worship unto his need.

Set your affection on things that are above, and not on things which are on the earth.

Lie not one to another, that the old man with his works be put off,

and the new put on; which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that made him:

and the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which peace ye are called in one body: and see that ye be thankful.

Children, obey your fathers and mothers, in all things, for that is well pleasing unto the Lord.

forasmuch as ye know that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.

But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong that he hath done: for there is no respect of persons.

Ye masters do unto your servants that which is just and equal, seeing ye know that ye have also a master in heaven.

praying also for us, that God open unto us the door of utterance, that we may speak the mystery of Christ - wherefore I am in bonds -

that I may utter it, as it becometh me to speak.

Walk wisely to them that are without, and redeem the time.

Let your speech be always well favoured and be powdered with salt, that ye may know how to answer every man.

whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know how ye do, and might comfort your hearts,

Epaphras the servant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and always laboureth fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect, and full in all that is the will of God.

I bear him record that he hath a fervent mind toward you, and toward them of Laodicea and them of Hierapolis.

And when the epistle is read of you, make that it be read in the congregation of the Laodiceans also: and that ye likewise read the epistle of Laodicea.

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