and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan – a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things.

The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms.

you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,

They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart as to Christ,

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.

Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, so that you too may know about my circumstances, how I am doing.

and most of the brothers and sisters, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever dare to speak the word fearlessly.

What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation – a sign which is from God.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness.

Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things.

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)

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,