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.

since we heard of your faith which ye have in Christ Jesus: and of the love which ye bear to all saints

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Long ago you heard of this hope in the message which came to you of the truth of the gospel.

And just as it is spreading through the whole world, bearing fruit and increasing, so also is it among you, from the day in which you heard it, and came truly to know the grace of God,

as ye learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, which is for you a faithful minister of Christ,

which also declared unto us your love, which ye have in the spirit.

Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

giving thanks unto the father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of saints in light.

Which hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son,

by whom we possess the ransom from captivity, which means the forgiveness of our sins.

which is the image of the invisible God, first begotten of all creatures:

for by him were all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and for him,

He is also the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself might have first place in everything.

Through him uniting all things with himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, uniting all things which are on earth or in heaven.

And you - which were in times past strangers and enemies, because your minds were set in evil works - hath he now reconciled

through dying in his human body) in holiness, and free from reproach or blame, into God's presence??23 if at least you continue firm and steadfast in the exercise of faith, and never shift from the hope held out in the good news to which you listened, which has been preached all over the world, and for which I, Paul, became a worker.

And this he will do if, indeed, you continue in the faith, firmly founded and stedfast, and never moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, and which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, that gospel of which I, Paul, was 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 -

whereof am I made a minister according to the ordinance of God, which ordinance was given me unto you ward, to fulfill the word of God:

that secret truth, which, although hidden from ages and generations of old, has now been made manifest to his saints.

To them God willed to make known among the Gentiles how glorious are the riches of that secret truth, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

For that end I am ever toiling, wrestling with all that energy of his which is mightily at work within me.

May their hearts be comforted! May they be knit together in love! May they gain in all its riches the full assurance of their understanding! May they come to a perfect knowledge of the secret truth of God, which is Christ himself.

in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Rooted and based together in him, strong in the faith which the teaching gave you, giving praise to God at all times.

Take care lest any man drag you away captive by his philosophy which is a vain deceit, following the traditions of men and the world's crude notions, and not Christ.

and ye are complete in him, which is the head of all rule and power.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision not performed by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision which is of Christ:

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

And ye which were dead in sin through the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened with him and hath forgiven us all our trespasses

wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

Let none therefore judge you in meat, or drink, or in respect of a feast-day, or of the new-moon, or of sabbath-days: Which are shadow of things to come;

which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

instead of keeping connection with the Head from the whole body draws nourishment for all its needs by the joints which bind it; and is knit together, and grows with a divine growth.

If you died with Christ to the world's rudimentary notions, why, as if you still lived in the world, do you submit yourselves to dogmatisms found on teachings and doctrines of men??21 such as "Do not handle this," "You must not taste that," "Do not touch this"??22 all things which are intended to perish in the using?

Which say there may be no touching, tasting, or taking in your hands,

(all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?

Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

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

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

When Christ, which is our life, shall show himself; then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever is worldly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

for which thing's sakes the wrath of God cometh on the children of unbelief.

In which things ye walked once, when ye lived in them.

and put on that new self which is continually made over according to the likeness of its Creator, into full understanding.

by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];

Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdom. Teach and exhort your own selves, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs which have favour with them, singing in your hearts to the Lord.

for you know that it is from him that you are to receive that inheritance which is to be your reward. Think of Christ as the master you are working for.

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

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

The dear brother Tychicus shall tell you of all my business, which is a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord,

Whom I have sent unto you, to this very end, - that ye may get to know the things which concern us, and he may encourage you hearts:

with one Onesimus a faithful, and a beloved brother, which is one of you. They shall show you of all things which are a doing here.

and Jesus which is called Justus, which are of the circumcision. These only are my workfellows unto the kingdom of God, which were unto my consolation.

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.

Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea, and salute Nymphas, and the congregation which is in his house.

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

Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."