because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints,

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel

For this reason also, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might have the first place in everything.

if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a minister.

For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face in the flesh,

that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself,

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him,

and you have been made complete in him, who is the head over all rule and authority.

These indeed have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, and also Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved to be a comfort to me.

When this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read the letter from Laodicea.

Say to Archippus, "See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."