"*** COLOSSIANS 01 ***" 
"Pauls introduction Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother , to the holy and faithful brethren at Colosse . 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father .We have heard of your faith and love   3We always thank God the father of Jesus Christ when we pray for you , for we have heard of your faith and your love for all the saints . This faith and love springs from the word of truth, the gospel . All over the world this gospel is growing   5All over the world this gospel is growing and bearing fruit , just as it is among you . Epaphras who taught you told us of your love   6You"
"heard the gospel from our dear fellow servant Epaphras . He told us of your love and ever since we have prayed that God will fill you with his will . 7That you may live lives worthy of him and bear good fruit in your works and growin the knowledge of God .    Also that you will be strengthened with power to endure in patience and joy , giving thanks always to the Father . You are qualified to  inherit the kingdom of light   9For the Father has qualified you to share the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light . He has rescued us from darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the"
"Son he loves , in whom we have forgiveness of sins . Christ is the image of God  and the firstborn of all creation   11For Christ is the image of the invisible God , and the firstborn of all creation . Christ created all things   12By Christ all things were created in the heavens and on earth , both visible and invisible , through him and for him . 13He was before all things and in him all things hold together . He is the head of the church  and first-raised of the dead   14He is the head of the body of the church and the first-raised from the dead . In all things he has supremacy .   15For"
"God was pleased to have his fullness dwell in him that he might reconcile all things through his blood shed on the cross . You will remain holy provided  you continue firm in your faith   16Once you were alienated from God because of your sins , but now you are reconciled by the death of Christ s physical body .   17You have become holy in God s sight , without blemish and free from guilt , provided you continue firm in your faith . This is the gospel you had preached to you   18This is the gospel you had preached to you , the gospel that is proclaimed to every creature under the heavens."  
"*** COLOSSIANS 02 ***" 
"I rejoice in my sufferings   1I Paul rejoice in my sufferings for the sake of the body of Christ , which is the church . I was called to preach the  glorious mystery of Christ   2For God has called me to be a servant of thechurch , to preach his word in its fullness , even the glorious riches of the mystery of Christ . The mystery that has been kept hidden forgenerations but is now made known to the saints . We desire to present everyone  perfect in Christ    We proclaim Christ , warning and teaching with all wisdom that we may present every saint perfect in him .   4To this"
"end I labour , striving with his energy which so powerfully inspires me , both for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not met me personally . 5That you may be encouraged and have the richness of under- standing the mystery of Christ in whom ishidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge . I tell you all this that  no one may deceive you    I tell you all this , that no one may deceive you by false but fine-sounding arguments .   7I may be absent in body but I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are , and how firm your faith is in Christ ."
"8Therefore just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord , continue to live in him , growing ever stronger in your faith and gratitude as you were taught . Be not deceived by  empty and deceptive philosophies   9But see that no one deceives you by empty and deceptive philosophies , drawn from human traditions and the elemental spirits of the universe rather than from Christ . In Christ is the fullness of the Godhead   10For in Christ the fullness of the Godhead dwells , and you share in his fullness for he is head over every power and authority . In Christ you put off the fleshly nature  and"
"were born again   11In Christ you were circumcised , not with the circumcision of men but by the putting off ofyour fleshly nature .    And you were buried with him in baptism , being born again through your faith in thepower of God who raised him from the dead . Christ fulfilled the old Law  with its legal demands    God forgave us all our sins . For his Christ fulfilled the written Law with its legal demands and nailed it to the cross . The Law was only a shadow of things to come  the reality is Christ   14Therefore let no one condemn you in matters concerning what you eat or drink or"
"regarding religious festivals , New Moon celebrations or the Sabbath day .   15These were only a shadow of things to come . The reality is found in Christ . They who teach false humility and the  worship of angels have lost touch with Christ   16So let no one disqualify you by insisting on false humility and the worship of angels .   17Such people speculate in great detail about visions and their worldly minds puff them up with foolish notions .   18They have lost touch with Christ the Head from whom the whole body is supported"
"and held together . Such rules are based on the teachings of men?   19Since you died with Christ to worldly principles , why submit to their rules? Do not handle Do not taste Do not touch  20Such rules are based on the commandments and teachings of men . Such rules have an appearance  of wisdom but lack power   21Such rules indeed have an appearance of wisdom , with their worship , their false humility and their austere treatment of the body . But they have no power in restraining the indulgence of the flesh . Set your hearts on things from above   22Since you have been reborn in Christ ,"
"put on the new self . Set your hearts on things from above where Christ is seated at the right handof God . Not on earthly things .    Then when Christ returns you will be gathered to him in glory . Put to death sexual immorality and lust   24Put to death whatever belongs to your fleshly nature : sexual immorality , impurity , lust, evil desires and coveting (which is idolatry) . The wrath of God is coming upon all who do these things . Rid yourselves of anger,  malice, lying and filthy talk   25You once walked in these sinful ways but now you must entirely rid yourselves of them . Also anger"
", wrath , malice , slander , lying and filthy talk . Christ is all that is necessary   27There is no longer Greek or Jew , circumcised or uncircumcised , slave or free , but Christ is all and in all."  
"*** COLOSSIANS 03 ***" 
"Clothe yourselves with kindness,  humility and patience   1Therefore as God s chosen people clothe yourselves with kindness , humility , patience , gentleness and compassion . Forgive one another as the Lord forgave you   2Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another . Forgive as the Lord forgave you . Above all clothe yourselves with"
"love   3And over all these virtues , clothe yourselves with love , which binds them all together in perfect harmony .  4Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and be thankful .   5Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with wisdom . Sing psalms, hymns and songs of the spirit   6Sing psalms , hymns and songs of the spirit with gratitude in your hearts to God .   7And whatever you do whether in word or deed , do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him . Advice to husbands, wives and children   8Wives ,"
"submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord .   9Husbands , love your wives . Be not harsh with them .   10Children , obey your parents for this is pleasing to the Lord .   11Fathers , provoke not your children lest they become discouraged . Advice to slaves and masters   12Slaves , obey your earthly masters in all things , not only when their eye is upon you but with sincerity of heart . 13Work as if you are working for the Lord and not for men .   14All who do wrong will pay for their wrongdoing . There is no favouritism with the Lord.   15Masters , treat your slaves with justice and"
"fairness for you too have a master in heaven . Devote yourselves to prayer  and pray for us also   16Devote yourselves to prayer , being watchful and thankful . 17Pray for us also that God may open doors for us to proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains . Pray that I may proclaim it clearly , as I should . Act wisely toward unbelievers and  let your conversation be graceful   18Be wise in how you act toward unbelievers . Make the most of every opportunity . 19Let your conversation be graceful and interesting .   20Know how to answer everyone."  
"*** COLOSSIANS 04 ***" 
"Tychicus will tell you all the news   1Tychicus will tell you all the news about me . He is a dear brother , a faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord . I am sending him to you that you may be aware of our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts . 2He is coming with Onesimus our faithful and dear brother who is one of you . Greetings from those with Paul   3My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas . Jesus who is called Justus also sends his greetings .    4These are the only Jews among my fellow workers and they have proved a"
"comfort to me .   Epaphras who is one of you sends greetings . He is always wrestling in prayer for you that you will stand firm and become mature in thewill of God .  I vouch that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis .   7Luke the beloved physician and Demas send their greetings . Greet the brethren at Laodicea   8Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church thatmeets in her house .    After this letter has been read to you , see that it is read also in the church of"
"theLaodiceans . And that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea .  I greet you in my own handwriting   10I Paul write this greeting in my own hand . Remember my chains . Grace be with you."