for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which ye have heard before in the word of truth, that is the gospel;

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

that ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all were created by Him, and for Him.

And He is the head of the body, which is the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.

For it pleased the Father, that all fulness should dwell in Him;

And you that were formerly alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works,

Of which I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I might fully declare the word of God:

even that mystery which was hid from former ages and generations, but is now manifested to his saints:

to whom God would make known the rich glory of this mystery, among the gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope of glory:

whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all the riches of a full assurance of understanding in these things, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of our God and Father, and of Christ:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

Mortify therefore your members that are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, disorderly passion, evil concupiscence, and insatiable desire, which is indeed idolatry:

and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him.

knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ;

but he that doth unjustly, shall receive for what wrong he hath done; and there is no respect of persons with God:

and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought.

Behave yourselves wisely towards them that are without,

whom I have sent to you for this purpose also that he may know your affairs, and comfort your hearts;

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you; who always strives earnestly for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God:

for I bear him witness, that he is very zealous for you, and for those in Laodicea, and Hierapolis.

Salute the brethren in Laodicea; and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house.

And when this letter has been read amongst you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; that ye may also read that from Laodicea.

And say ye to Archippus, Look well to the ministry, which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it.