because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created,

and having made peace by the blood of his cross, to reconcile all things to himself, both those in heaven, and those upon earth.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church:

In it, by divine appointment, I became a worker, that I might preach among you the message of God in its fulness??26 that secret, hidden from the ages and generations, but now disclosed to those who are consecrated to him,

God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face.

having erased the charges that were brought against us, along with their obligations that were hostile to us. He took those charges away when he nailed them to the cross.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

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?

"Do not handle [this]; do not taste [that]; do not touch [those things]?"

those things which are all unto destruction by use according to the commandments and teachings of the people?

If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ abides, seated on the right hand of God.

Mind the things above, not those on the earth.

So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].

Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts],

You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord.

Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord.

Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.

Those who do wrong will reap the wrong they have done; and there will be no partiality.

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].

and greetings from Jesus, who is called Justus, those being of the circumcision. These alone are my fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, who became a comfort to me.

For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.

salute ye those in Laodicea -- brethren, and Nymphas, and the assembly in his house;