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

because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.

For everything was created by Him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.

He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.

For God was pleased to have
all His fullness dwell in Him,

if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known,

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.

I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him,

and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.

So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.

For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah 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. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

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

And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”