Every time we pray for you we thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

based on the hope laid up for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope through the word of truth, the gospel

came among you, to thrive and bear its fruit among you, as it does all over the world, from the time when you first heard about the mercy of God,

And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things,

And you also, at one time dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sensual nature, he has made alive together with himself. For he forgave us all our transgressions,

Wherein, ye also, walked, at one time, when ye were living in these things;

At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned;

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

Luke, my dearly loved physician, and Demas [See II Tim. 4:10] send you their greetings.