To the Colossians

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through God’s will,+ and Timothy+ [our] brother 2 to the holy ones and faithful brothers in union+ with Christ at Co·losʹsae:

May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace from God our Father.+

3 We thank+ God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ* always when we pray* for YOU,+ 4 since we heard of YOUR faith in connection with Christ Jesus and the love YOU have* for all the holy ones+ 5 because of the hope+ that is being reserved for YOU in the heavens.+ This [hope] YOU heard of before by the telling of the truth of that good news+ 6 which has presented itself to YOU, even as it is bearing fruit+ and increasing+ in all the world+ just as [it is doing] also among YOU, from the day YOU heard and accurately knew the undeserved kindness+ of God in truth.+ 7 That is what YOU have learned from Epʹa·phras+ our beloved fellow slave, who is a faithful minister* of the Christ on our behalf, 8 who also disclosed to us YOUR love+ in a spiritual way.*

9 That is also why we, from the day we heard [of it], have not ceased praying for YOU+ and asking* that YOU may be filled with the accurate knowledge+ of his will in all wisdom+ and spiritual comprehension,+ 10 in order to walk worthily+ of Jehovah*+ to the end of fully pleasing [him] as YOU go on bearing fruit in every good work+ and increasing in the accurate+ knowledge of God, 11 being made powerful with all power to the extent of his glorious might+ so as to endure+ fully and be long-suffering with joy, 12 thanking the Father who rendered YOU suitable for YOUR participation in the inheritance+ of the holy ones+ in the light.+

13 He delivered us from the authority+ of the darkness and transferred+ us into the kingdom+ of the Son of his love,+ 14 by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins.+ 15 He is the image+ of the invisible+ God, the firstborn+ of all creation; 16 because by means of him+ all [other]* things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities.+ All [other] things have been created through him+ and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [other] things+ and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist,+ 18 and he is the head of the body, the congregation.+ He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,+ that he might become the one who is first+ in all things; 19 because [God]* saw good for all fullness+ to dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile+ again to himself all [other] things+ by making peace+ through the blood+ [he shed] on the torture stake,*+ no matter whether they are* the things upon the earth or the things in the heavens.

21 Indeed, YOU who were once alienated+ and enemies because YOUR minds were on the works that were wicked,+ 22 he now has again reconciled+ by means of that one’s fleshly body through [his] death,+ in order to present YOU holy and unblemished+ and open to no accusation+ before him, 23 provided, of course, that YOU continue in the faith,+ established on the foundation+ and steadfast+ and not being shifted away from the hope of that good news which YOU heard,+ and which was preached+ in all creation+ that is under heaven. Of this [good news] I Paul became a minister.+

24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for YOU,+ and I, in my turn, am filling up what is lacking of the tribulations+ of the Christ in my flesh on behalf of his body, which is the congregation.+ 25 I became a minister+ of this [congregation] in accordance with the stewardship+ from God which was given me in YOUR interest to preach the word of God fully, 26 the sacred secret+ that was hidden from the past systems of things*+ and from the past generations. But now it has been made manifest+ to his holy ones, 27 to whom God has been pleased to make known what are the glorious riches+ of this sacred secret+ among the nations. It is Christ+ in union with YOU, the hope of [his]* glory.+ 28 He is the one we are publicizing,+ admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom,+ that we may present every man complete*+ in union with Christ. 29 To this end I am indeed working hard, exerting myself+ in accordance with the operation+ of him and which is at work in me with power.+

2 For I want YOU to realize how great a struggle+ I am having in behalf of YOU and of those at La·o·di·ceʹa+ and of all those who have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be comforted,+ that they may be harmoniously joined together in love+ and with a view to all the riches of the full assurance of [their] understanding,+ with a view to an accurate knowledge of the sacred secret of God, namely, Christ.*+ 3 Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.+ 4 This I am saying that no man may delude* YOU with persuasive arguments.+ 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, all the same I am with YOU in the spirit,+ rejoicing and beholding YOUR good order+ and the firmness of YOUR faith+ toward Christ.

6 Therefore, as YOU have accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, go on walking in union+ with him, 7 rooted+ and being built up+ in him and being stabilized in the faith,+ just as YOU were taught, overflowing with [faith]* in thanksgiving.+

8 Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry+ YOU off as his prey through the philosophy+ and empty deception*+ according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary+ things of the world and not according to Christ; 9 because it is in him that all the fullness+ of the divine+ quality*+ dwells bodily. 10 And so YOU are possessed of a fullness by means of him, who is the head of all government and authority.+ 11 By relationship+ with him YOU were also circumcised+ with a circumcision performed without hands by the stripping off the body of the flesh,+ by the circumcision that belongs to the Christ, 12 for YOU were buried with him in [his]* baptism,+ and by relationship with him YOU were also raised+ up together through [YOUR] faith+ in the operation+ of God, who raised him up from the dead.+

13 Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God]* made YOU alive together with him.+ He kindly forgave us all our trespasses+ 14 and blotted+ out* the handwritten document*+ against us, which consisted of decrees+ and which was in opposition to us;+ and He has taken it out of the way by nailing+ it to the torture stake.*+ 15 Stripping the governments and the authorities+ bare, he exhibited* them in open public as conquered,+ leading them in a triumphal procession+ by means of it.*

16 Therefore let no man judge+ YOU in eating and drinking+ or in respect of a festival+ or of an observance of the new moon+ or of a sabbath;*+ 17 for those things are a shadow+ of the things to come, but the reality*+ belongs to the Christ.+ 18 Let no man deprive+ YOU of the prize+ who takes delight in a [mock] humility* and a form of worship* of the angels, “taking his stand on”* the things he has seen, puffed up without proper cause by his fleshly frame of mind, 19 whereas he is not holding fast to the head,+ to the one from whom all the body, being supplied and harmoniously joined together+ by means of its joints and ligaments, goes on growing with the growth that God gives.+

20 If YOU died+ together with Christ toward the elementary+ things of the world,+ why do YOU, as if living in the world, further subject yourselves to the decrees:+ 21 “Do not handle, nor taste,+ nor touch,”+ 22 respecting things that are all destined to destruction by being used up, in accordance with the commands and teachings of men?+ 23 Those very things are, indeed, possessed of an appearance of wisdom in a self-imposed form of worship* and [mock] humility, a severe treatment of the body;+ but they are of no value in combating the satisfying of the flesh.+

3 If, however, YOU were raised up+ with the Christ, go on seeking the things above,+ where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God.+ 2 Keep YOUR minds fixed on the things above,+ not on the things upon the earth.+ 3 For YOU died,+ and YOUR life+ has been hidden with the Christ in union+ with God. 4 When the Christ, our life,+ is made manifest, then YOU also will be made manifest+ with him in glory.+

5 Deaden,+ therefore, YOUR body members+ that are upon the earth as respects fornication,* uncleanness,* sexual appetite,*+ hurtful desire, and covetousness,+ which is idolatry. 6 On account of those things the wrath of God is coming.+ 7 In those very things YOU, too, once walked when YOU used to live in them.+ 8 But now really put them all away from YOU,+ wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech,*+ and obscene+ talk out of YOUR mouth. 9 Do not be lying to one another.+ Strip off the old personality*+ with its practices, 10 and clothe yourselves with the new+ [personality], which through* accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image+ of the One who created it, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythʹi·an, slave, freeman,+ but Christ is all things and in all.+

12 Accordingly, as God’s chosen ones,+ holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion,+ kindness, lowliness of mind,*+ mildness,+ and long-suffering.+ 13 Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely+ if anyone has a cause for complaint+ against another. Even as Jehovah* freely forgave YOU,+ so do YOU also. 14 But, besides all these things, [clothe yourselves with] love,+ for it is a perfect bond+ of union.*

15 Also, let the peace+ of the Christ* control in YOUR hearts,+ for YOU were, in fact, called to it in one* body.+ And show yourselves thankful. 16 Let the word of the Christ* reside in YOU richly in all wisdom.+ Keep on teaching+ and admonishing one another with psalms,+ praises to God,* spiritual songs+ with graciousness, singing in YOUR hearts to Jehovah.*+ 17 And whatever it is that YOU do in word or in work,+ do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,+ thanking+ God the Father through him.

18 YOU wives, be in subjection+ to [your] husbands, as it is becoming in [the] Lord. 19 YOU husbands, keep on loving [your] wives+ and do not be bitterly angry with them.+ 20 YOU children, be obedient+ to [your] parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in [the] Lord. 21 YOU fathers, do not be exasperating your children,+ so that they do not become downhearted. 22 YOU slaves, be obedient in everything to those who are [your] masters in a fleshly sense,+ not with acts of eye-service, as men pleasers,+ but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah.*+ 23 Whatever YOU are doing, work at it whole-souled+ as to Jehovah,*+ and not to men, 24 for YOU know that it is from Jehovah*+ YOU will receive the due reward of the inheritance.+ SLAVE for the Master, Christ.+ 25 Certainly the one that is doing wrong will receive back+ what he wrongly did, and there is no partiality.+

4 YOU masters, keep dealing out what is righteous and what is fair to [your] slaves,+ knowing that YOU also have a Master in heaven.+

2 Be persevering in prayer,+ remaining awake in it with thanksgiving,+ 3 at the same time praying also for us,+ that God may open a door+ of utterance to us, to speak the sacred secret+ about the Christ, for which, in fact, I am in prison bonds;+ 4 so that I shall make it manifest as I ought to speak.+

5 Go on walking in wisdom toward those on the outside,+ buying out the opportune+ time for yourselves. 6 Let YOUR utterance be always with graciousness,*+ seasoned with salt,+ so as to know how YOU ought to give an answer+ to each one.

7 All my affairs Tychʹi·cus,+ [my] beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow slave in [the] Lord, will make known to YOU. 8 For the very purpose of YOUR knowing the things having to do with us and that he may comfort YOUR hearts,+ I am sending him to YOU 9 along with O·nesʹi·mus,+ my faithful and beloved brother, who is from among YOU. All the things here they will make known to YOU.

10 Ar·is·tarʹchus+ my fellow captive sends YOU his greetings, and so does Mark+ the cousin of Barʹna·bas, (concerning whom YOU received commands to welcome+ him if ever he comes to YOU,) 11 and Jesus who is called Justus, these being of those circumcised.* Only these are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and these very ones have become a strengthening aid to me. 12 Epʹa·phras,+ who is from among YOU, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends YOU his greetings, always exerting himself in YOUR behalf in [his] prayers, that YOU may finally stand complete+ and with firm conviction in all the will of God. 13 I indeed bear him witness that he puts himself to great effort in behalf of YOU and of those at La·o·di·ceʹa+ and of those at Hi·e·rapʹo·lis.

14 Luke+ the beloved physician* sends YOU his greetings, and so does Deʹmas.+ 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at La·o·di·ceʹa and to Nymʹpha and to the congregation at her house.+ 16 And when this letter has been read among YOU, arrange that it also be read+ in the congregation of the La·o·di·ceʹans and that YOU also read the one from La·o·di·ceʹa. 17 Also, tell Ar·chipʹpus:+ “Keep watching the ministry which you accepted in [the] Lord, that you fulfill it.”

18 [Here is] my greeting, Paul’s, in my own hand.+ Continue bearing my [prison] bonds+ in mind. The undeserved kindness be with YOU.