And even though you were dead in your<n id="1" /> transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless<n id="2" /> made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.

<p class="bodytext">Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).

I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments<n id="1" /> that sound reasonable.<n id="2" />

Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you.

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share<n id="1" /> in the saints&#8217;<n id="2" /> inheritance in the light.

<t /><p class="bodytext">And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your<n id="1" /> minds<n id="2" /> as expressed through<n id="3" /> your evil deeds,

but now he has reconciled you<n id="1" /> by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him &#8211;

<p class="bodytext">Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days &#8211;

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.p>

I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship<n id="1" /> from God &#8211; given to me for you &#8211; in order to complete<n id="2" /> the word of God,

<p class="bodytext">For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you,<n id="1" /> and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.<n id="2" />

Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths<n id="1" /> about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.<n id="2" />

I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing<n id="1" /> and that he may encourage your hearts.

that has come to you. Just as in the entire world this gospel<n id="1" /> is bearing fruit and growing, so it has also been bearing fruit and growing<n id="2" /> among you from the first day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.

Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you<n id="1" /> through an empty, deceitful philosophy<n id="2" /> that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits<n id="3" /> of the world, and not according to Christ.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave<n id="1" /> of Christ,<n id="2" /> greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured<n id="3" /> in all the will of God.