<t /><p class="bodytext">From Paul,<n id="1" /> an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise<n id="2" /> of life in Christ Jesus,

<t /><p class="bodytext">So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

<t /><p class="bodytext">So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,

<t /><p class="bodytext">Epaphras,<n id="1" /> my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.

Greet one another with a loving kiss.<n id="1" /> Peace to all of you who are in Christ.<n id="2" />p>

So you too consider yourselves<n id="1" /> dead to sin, but<n id="2" /> alive to God in Christ Jesus.p>

<t /><n id="1" /><p class="bodytext">I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me<n id="2" /> in the Holy Spirit &#8211;

so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another.

For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.<n id="1" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus.

<t /><p class="bodytext">So, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh,<n id="2" /> as infants in Christ.

For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.p>

Every day I am in danger of death! This is as sure as<n id="1" /> my boasting in you,<n id="2" /> which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away<n id="1" /> &#8211; look, what is new<n id="2" /> has come!<n id="3" />

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband,<n id="1" /> to present you as a pure<n id="2" /> virgin to Christ.

But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages<n id="1" /> sin? Absolutely not!

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight &#8211; the only thing that matters is faith working through love.<n id="1" />p>

This power<n id="1" /> he exercised<n id="2" /> in Christ when he raised him<n id="3" /> from the dead and seated him<n id="4" /> at his right hand in the heavenly realms<n id="5" />

even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ &#8211; by grace you are saved!<n id="1" /> &#8211;