Chapter 2

Verse 1

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;

Verse 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;

Verse 3

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Verse 4

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Verse 5

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.

Verse 6

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

Verse 7

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

Verse 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.

Verse 9

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Verse 10

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

Verse 11

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:

Verse 12

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.

Verse 13

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

Verse 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;

Verse 15

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

Verse 16

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:

Verse 17

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Verse 18

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,

Verse 19

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.

Verse 20

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,

Verse 21

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Verse 22

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

Verse 23

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.

Chapter 3

Verse 1

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

Verse 2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

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

Verse 5

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

Verse 6

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

Verse 7

In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Verse 8

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

Verse 9

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

Verse 10

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

Verse 11

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

Verse 12

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

Verse 13

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

Verse 14

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

Verse 15

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

Verse 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.

Verse 17

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.

Verse 18

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

Verse 19

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Verse 20

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

Verse 21

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Verse 22

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

Verse 23

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

Verse 24

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

Verse 25

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

Chapter 4

Verse 1

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

Verse 2

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Verse 3

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:

Verse 4

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

Verse 5

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Verse 6

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Verse 7

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

Verse 8

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

Verse 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.

Verse 10

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

Verse 11

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.

Verse 12

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.

Verse 13

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

Verse 14

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Verse 15

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Verse 16

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.

Verse 17

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

Verse 18

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