Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.

who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross – through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

In him you also were circumcised – not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ.

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.

that is, the mystery that has been kept hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed to his saints.

and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

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.

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

I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God – given to me for you – in order to complete the word of God,

if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.

Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and false humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body – a wisdom with no true value – they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.

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

He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves,

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

Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.

If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world?

Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.

And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well.