Now, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

So then, my brothers and sisters, dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!

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

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.

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless.

So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,

Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.”

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess,

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God.