Letter to the Colossians

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,

yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,

if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly;

of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,

the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,

to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;

whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,

rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,

and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;

in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;