He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,

We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.

Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him –

Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him.

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects – bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God,

for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son

Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father!

since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints.

You learned the gospel from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave – a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf –

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds,

These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are on human commands and teachings.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.