Paul , an apostle of Christ Jesus by (the) will of God , and Timothy - (our) brother ,
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae : Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
We always thank ... - God , (the) Father of our - Lord Jesus Christ , when we pray for you ,
because we have heard about your - faith in Christ Jesus and vvv your - love for all the saints —
(the faith and love) proceeding from the hope - stored up for you in - heaven , of which you have already heard in the word - of truth - , the gospel
that has come to you. - - All over the world (this gospel) is bearing fruit and growing , just as (it has been doing) among you since the day you heard (it) and vvv truly understood the grace - of God.
- You learned (it) from Epaphras , our - beloved fellow servant , who is a faithful minister - of Christ on our behalf ,
(and) who also informed us of your - love in (the) Spirit.
For this reason ... ... , since the day we heard (about you) , we {have} not stopped praying for you and asking (God) to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding ,
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (and) may please (Him) in every way : bearing fruit in every good work , - growing in the knowledge - of God ,
being strengthened with all power according to His - glorious - might so that you may have full endurance and patience , (and) joyfully ...
giving thanks to the Father , who has qualified you vvv vvv to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
He has rescued us from the dominion - of darkness and brought (us) into the kingdom of His - beloved Son ,
in whom we have - redemption , the forgiveness - of sins.
(The Son) is (the) image of the - invisible God , (the) firstborn over all creation.
For in Him - all things were created , (things) in - heaven and on - earth , - visible and - invisible , whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. - All things were created through Him and for Him.
- He is before all things , and in Him - all things hold together.
And He is the head of the body , the church ; He is the beginning (and) firstborn from among the dead , so that in all things He may have preeminence.
For (God) was pleased (to have) all (His) fullness dwell in Him ,
and through Him to reconcile to Himself - all things , whether things on - earth or things in - heaven , by making peace through the blood of His cross - -.
- Once you were alienated ( from God ) and were hostile in your minds , engaging in - - evil deeds.
But now He has reconciled (you) by (Christ's) vvv physical - body through - death to present you holy , - unblemished , and blameless in His presence ... —
if indeed you continue - in (your) faith , established and firm , - not moved from the hope of the gospel - you heard , which has been proclaimed to every creature - under - heaven , (and) of which I , Paul , have become a servant.
Now I rejoice in (my) sufferings for you ... , and I fill up in my - flesh what is lacking in regard to - Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His - body , which is the church.
I became its servant by the commission - God - gave me to fully proclaim to you the word - of God ,
the mystery that was hidden for - ages and - - generations but vvv is now revealed to His saints.
To (them) - God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles - the glorious - riches of this - mystery , which is Christ in you , the hope of glory.
We proclaim Him , admonishing - - and teaching everyone - with all wisdom , so that we may present everyone - perfect in Christ.
To this end I also labor , striving with all His - energy - working vvv powerfully within me.