Book 51        Colossians

51:001:001 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and
           Timotheus our brother,

51:001:002 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at
           Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and
           the Lord Jesus Christ.

51:001:003 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
           praying always for you,

51:001:004 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love
           which ye have to all the saints,

51:001:005 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye
           heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

51:001:006 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and
           bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye
           heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

51:001:007 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is
           for you a faithful minister of Christ;

51:001:008 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

51:001:009 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not
           cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled
           with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
           understanding;

51:001:010 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
           fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge
           of God;

51:001:011 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,
           unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

51:001:012 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
           partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

51:001:013 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
           translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

51:001:014 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
           forgiveness of sins:

51:001:015 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
           creature:

51:001:016 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:

51:001:017 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

51:001:018 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.

51:001:019 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness
           dwell;

51:001:020 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.

51:001:021 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
           by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

51:001:022 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy
           and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

51:001:023 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
           moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,
           and which was preached to every creature which is under
           heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

51:001:024 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:

51:001:025 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of
           God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

51:001:026 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from
           generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

51:001:027 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:

51:001:028 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in
           all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ
           Jesus:

51:001:029 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working,
           which worketh in me mightily.

51:002:001 For I would that ye 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;

51:002:002 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;

51:002:003 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

51:002:004 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
           words.

51:002:005 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the
           spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness
           of your faith in Christ.

51:002:006 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk
           ye in him:

51:002:007 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye
           have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

51:002:008 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.

51:002:009 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

51:002:010 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all
           principality and power:

51:002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
           without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the
           flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

51:002:012 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
           through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him
           from the dead.

51:002:013 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of
           your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having
           forgiven you all trespasses;

51:002:014 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;

51:002:015 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew
           of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

51:002:016 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in
           respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath
           days:

51:002:017 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of
           Christ.

51:002:018 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility
           and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which
           he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

51:002:019 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints
           and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together,
           increaseth with the increase of God.

51:002:020 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the
           world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to
           ordinances,

51:002:021 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

51:002:022 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the
           commandments and doctrines of men?

51:002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and
           humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the
           satisfying of the flesh.

51:003:001 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
           above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

51:003:002 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
           earth.

51:003:003 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

51:003:004 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also
           appear with him in glory.

51:003:005 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
           fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
           concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

51:003:006 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children
           of disobedience:

51:003:007 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

51:003:008 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,
           blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

51:003:009 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old
           man with his deeds;

51:003:010 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge
           after the image of him that created him:

51:003:011 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
           uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ
           is all, and in all.

51:003:012 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
           bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
           longsuffering;

51:003:013 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
           have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so
           also do ye.

51:003:014 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond
           of perfectness.

51:003:015 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which
           also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

51:003:016 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.

51:003:017 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of
           the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

51:003:018 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit
           in the Lord.

51:003:019 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

51:003:020 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well
           pleasing unto the Lord.

51:003:021 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
           discouraged.

51:003:022 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
           flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness
           of heart, fearing God;

51:003:023 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not
           unto men;

51:003:024 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
           inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

51:003:025 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he
           hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

51:004:001 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;
           knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

51:004:002 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

51:004:003 Withal 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:

51:004:004 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

51:004:005 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the
           time.

51:004:006 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that
           ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

51:004:007 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved
           brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the
           Lord:

51:004:008 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might
           know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

51:004:009 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of
           you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done
           here.

51:004:010 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus,
           sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received
           commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

51:004:011 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the
           circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom
           of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

51:004:012 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth
           you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye
           may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

51:004:013 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and
           them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

51:004:014 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

51:004:015 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and
           the church which is in his house.

51:004:016 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read
           also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise
           read the epistle from Laodicea.

51:004:017 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou
           hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

51:004:018 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds.
           Grace be with you. Amen.