The Letter Of Paul The Apostle To The Colossians
 
   1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus
   our brother,
 
   1:2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ which are at
   Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the
   Lord Jesus Christ.
 
   1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
   praying always for you,
 
   1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love
   which you have to all the saints,
 
   1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard
   before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
 
   1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings
   forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it,
   and knew the grace of God in truth:
 
   1:7 As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is
   for you a faithful minister of Christ;
 
   1:8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
 
   1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
   pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the
   knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
 
   1:10 That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
   fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
 
   1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,
   unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
 
   1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us suitable to be
   partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
 
   1:13 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has
   translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
 
   1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
   forgiveness of sins:
 
   1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
   creature:
 
   1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
   are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
   dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
   him, and for him:
 
   1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
 
   1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning,
   the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
   preeminence.
 
   1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
 
   1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to
   reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be
   things in earth, or things in heaven.
 
   1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by
   wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
 
   1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and
   unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
 
   1:23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
   moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and
   which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I
   Paul am made a minister;
 
   1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which
   is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's
   sake, which is the church:
 
   1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of
   God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
 
   1:26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from
   generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
 
   1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of
   this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of
   glory:
 
   1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
   wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
 
   1:29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which
   works in me mightily.
 
   2:1 For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and
   for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the
   flesh;
 
   2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love,
   and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the
   acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of
   Christ;
 
   2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
 
   2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
   words.
 
   2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the
   spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your
   faith in Christ.
 
   2:6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you
   in him:
 
   2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you
   have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
 
   2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
   after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
   after Christ.
 
   2:9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
 
   2:10 And you are complete in him, which is the head of all
   principality and power:
 
   2:11 In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made
   without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
   circumcision of Christ:
 
   2:12 Buried with him in baptism, in which also you are risen with him
   through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the
   dead.
 
   2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your
   flesh, has he given life together with him, having forgiven you all
   trespasses;
 
   2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
   which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to
   his cross;
 
   2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of
   them openly, triumphing over them in it.
 
   2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in
   respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
 
   2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
 
   2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a false humility and
   worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not
   seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
 
   2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and
   bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with
   the increase of God.
 
   2:20 Therefore if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the
   world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to
   ordinances,
 
   2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
 
   2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments
   and doctrines of men?
 
   2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and
   humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the
   satisfying of the flesh.
 
   3:1 If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
   above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
 
   3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
 
   3:3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
 
   3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also
   appear with him in glory.
 
   3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
   fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil sexual desire,
   and covetousness, which is idolatry:
 
   3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of
   disobedience:
 
   3:7 In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
 
   3:8 But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,
   blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
 
   3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man
   with his deeds;
 
   3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after
   the image of him that created him:
 
   3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
   uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all,
   and in all.
 
   3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, insides
   of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
 
   3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
   have a quarrel against any: just as Christ forgave you, so also do
   you.
 
   3:14 And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
   perfectness.
 
   3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also
   you are called in one body; and be you thankful.
 
   3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
   teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
   songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
 
   3:17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
   Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
 
   3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in
   the Lord.
 
   3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
 
   3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well
   pleasing unto the Lord.
 
   3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
   discouraged.
 
   3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh;
   not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart,
   fearing God;
 
   3:23 And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not
   unto men;
 
   3:24 Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the
   inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.
 
   3:25 But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has
   done: and there is no respect of persons.
 
   4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;
   knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
 
   4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
 
   4:3 Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door
   of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in
   bonds:
 
   4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
 
   4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
 
   4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you
   may know how you ought to answer every man.
 
   4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved
   brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord:
 
   4:8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know
   your estate, and comfort your hearts;
 
   4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
   They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
 
   4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister's
   son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandments: if he come
   unto you, receive him;)
 
   4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision.
   These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have
   been a comfort unto me.
 
   4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you,
   always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand
   perfect and complete in all the will of God.
 
   4:13 For I bear him record, that he has a great zeal for you, and them
   that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
 
   4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
 
   4:15 Salute the brothers which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the
   church which is in his house.
 
   4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read
   also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you likewise read the
   epistle from Laodicea.
 
   4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have
   received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.
 
   4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace
   be with you. Amen.