Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth,

<p class="poetry">for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him &#8211; all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions,<n id="1" /> whether principalities or powers &#8211; all things were created through him and for him.p>

<p class="poetry">and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross &#8211; through him,<n id="1" /> whether things on earth or things in heaven.p>

So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth:<n id="1" /> sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion,<n id="2" /> evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.

<p class="poetry">He himself is before all things and all things are held together<n id="1" /> in him.p>

Fathers,<n id="1" /> do not provoke<n id="2" /> your children, so they will not become disheartened.

These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are<n id="1" /> on human commands and teachings.<n id="2" />

But now, put off all such things<n id="1" /> as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave<n id="1" /> in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.<n id="2" />

I sent him<n id="1" /> with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.<n id="2" /> They will tell<n id="3" /> you about everything here.p>

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.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

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.

<p class="bodytext">Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body &#8211; for the sake of his body, the church &#8211; what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

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.