and it is he who has told me of the love the Spirit has awakened in you.

and you will thank the Father who has entitled you to share the lot of God's people in the realm of light.

by whom we have been ransomed from captivity through having our sins forgiven.

And it has brought you, who were once estranged from him, hostile in attitude and engaged in doing wrong (though now he has reconciled you

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,

to whom God has chosen to make known among the heathen how glorious this mystery of Christ in you, the promise of glorification, really is.

For I want you to know what a fight I am putting up for you and for our brothers in Laodicea, and for all who do not know me personally,

when in your baptism you were buried with him, and raised to life with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

Yes, you who were dead through your misdeeds and physically uncircumcised, God raised to life with Christ. He forgave us all our misdeeds,

When Christ, who is our true life, shall make his appearance, then you also will appear glorified with him.

You who are husbands must love your wives and not be harsh to them.

You who are slaves must always obey your earthly masters, not with mere external service, as though you had only men to please, but with sincerity of heart, because you fear the Lord.

For the man who wrongs anyone will be paid back for the wrong he has done; there will be no exceptions.

You who are masters must treat your slaves justly and fairly, and remember that you have a Master too, in heaven.

And with him I send my dear, faithful brother Onesimus, who is one of your own number. They will tell you all about matters here.

So also does Jesus who is called Justus. They are the only ones among the converts from Judaism who have worked with me for the reign of God who have proved a comfort to me.