Paul, an apostleof JesusChristbythe willof God, andTimothy our brother, To thesaintsandfaithfulbrethreninChristwhich are atColosse: Grace be unto you, andpeace, fromGodourFatherandthe LordJesusChrist. We give thanksto Godandthe Fatherof ourLordJesusChrist, prayingalwaysforyou, Since we heardof yourfaithinChristJesus, andof thelove which ye have toallthesaints. Forthehopewhich is laid upfor youinheaven, whereofye heard beforeinthewordof thetruthof thegospel; Which is comeuntoyou, asit is inalltheworld; andbringeth forth fruit, as it doth alsoinyou, sincethedayye heard of it, andknewthegraceof Godintruth: Asye alsolearnedofEpaphrasourdearfellow servant, whoisforyoua faithfulministerof Christ; Whoalsodeclaredunto usyourloveinthe Spirit. Forthis causewealso, sincethedaywe heard it, do notceaseto prayforyou, andto desirethatye might be filledwith theknowledgeof hiswillinallwisdomandspiritualunderstanding; That yemight walkworthyof theLorduntoallpleasing, being fruitfulineverygoodwork, andincreasingintheknowledgeof God; Strengthenedwithallmight, accordingto hisgloriouspower, untoallpatienceandlongsufferingwithjoyfulness; Giving thanksunto theFather, which hath made us meetto be partakersof theinheritanceof thesaintsinlight: Whohath deliveredusfromthepowerof darkness, andhath translated us intothekingdomof hisdearSon: Inwhomwe haveredemptionthroughhisblood, even theforgivenessof sins: Whoisthe imageof theinvisibleGod, the firstbornof everycreature: Forbyhimwere all thingscreated, thatare inheaven, andthatare inearth, visibleandinvisible, whether they be thrones, ordominions, orprincipalities, orpowers: all thingswere createdbyhim, andforhim: Andheisbeforeall things, andbyhimall thingsconsist. Andheistheheadof thebody, thechurch: whoisthe beginning, the firstbornfromthedead; thatinall things hemight havethe preeminence. Forit pleased the Father that inhimshould allfullnessdwell; And, having made peacethroughthebloodof hiscross, byhimto reconcileall thingsuntohimself; byhim, I say, whether they be thingsinearth, orthingsinheaven. Andyou, that weresometimealienatedandenemiesin your mindbywickedworks, yetnowhath he reconciled Inthebodyof hisfleshthroughdeath, to presentyouholyandunblamableandunreprovablein his sight: Ifye continuein thefaithgroundedandsettled, and be notmoved awayfromthehopeof thegospel, whichye have heard, and which was preachedtoeverycreaturewhichis underheaven; whereofIPaulam madea minister; Whonowrejoiceinmysufferingsforyou, andfill upthat which is behindof theafflictionsof Christinmyfleshfor his body's sake, which isthechurch: WhereofIam madea minister, accordingto thedispensationof Godwhich is givento meforyou, to fulfillthewordof God; Even themysterywhich hath been hidfromagesandfromgenerations, butnowis made manifestto hissaints: To whomGodwouldmake knownwhat is therichesof thegloryof thismysteryamongtheGentiles; whichisChristinyou, thehopeof glory: Whomwepreach, warningeveryman, andteachingeverymaninallwisdom; thatwe may presenteverymanperfectinChristJesus: WhereuntoI alsolabor, strivingaccordingto hisworking, which workethinmemightily.