And even though you were dead in your ¹  transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless ²  made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.

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 ¹  that sound reasonable. ² 

Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you.

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share ¹  in the saints’ ²  inheritance in the light.

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your ¹  minds ²  as expressed through ³  your evil deeds,

but now he has reconciled you ¹  by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him –

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 –

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

I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship ¹  from God – given to me for you – in order to complete ²  the word of God,

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, ¹  and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face. ² 

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

I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing ¹  and that he may encourage your hearts.

that has come to you. Just as in the entire world this gospel ¹  is bearing fruit and growing, so it has also been bearing fruit and growing 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 ¹  through an empty, deceitful philosophy ²  that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits ³  of the world, and not according to Christ.

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