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Paul, an apostle of JesusChristby the will of God,andTimotheus our brother,
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To the saintsandfaithfulbrethreninChrist which are atColosse:Grace be unto you,andpeace,fromGodourFatherand the LordJesusChrist.
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We give thanks to Godand the Father of ourLordJesusChrist,prayingalwaysforyou,
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Since we heard of yourfaithinChristJesus,and of the lovewhich ye have toall the saints,
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For the hopewhich is laid up for youinheaven,whereof ye heard beforein the word of the truth of the gospel;
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Which is comeuntoyou,asit is inall the world;and bringeth forth fruit*, as it doth alsoinyou,sincetheday ye heard of it, andknew the grace of Godintruth:
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AsyealsolearnedofEpaphrasourdearfellowservant,whoisforyou a faithfulminister of Christ;
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For this causewealso,sincetheday we heard it, donotcease to prayforyou,and to desirethat ye might be filled with the knowledge of hiswillinallwisdomandspiritualunderstanding;
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That ye might walkworthy of the Lorduntoallpleasing, being fruitfulineverygoodwork,andincreasingin the knowledge of God;
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Strengthenedwithallmight, according tohisgloriouspower,untoallpatienceandlongsufferingwithjoyfulness;
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Giving thanks unto the Father,which hath madeusmeetto be partakers of the inheritance of the saintsinlight:
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Who hath deliveredusfrom the power of darkness,and hath translated us into the kingdom of his[a]dearSon:
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Inwhom we haveredemptionthroughhisblood, even the forgiveness of sins:
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Whois the image of the invisibleGod, the firstborn of everycreature:
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Forbyhimwere all thingscreated, that are inheaven,and that are inearth,visibleandinvisible,whether they be thrones,ordominions,orprincipalities,orpowers: all things were createdbyhim,andforhim:
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Andheisbefore all things,andbyhim all thingsconsist.
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Andheis the head of the body, the church:whois the beginning, the firstbornfrom the dead;thatin[b]all things he might have the preeminence.
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For it pleased the Father thatinhimshouldallfulnessdwell;
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And, having made peacethrough the blood of hiscross,byhim to reconcile all thingsuntohimself;byhim, I say, whether they be things inearth,or things inheaven.
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Andyou, that weresometimealienatedandenemies in your mind[c]bywickedworks,yetnow hath he reconciled
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In the body of hisfleshthroughdeath, to presentyouholyandunblameableandunreproveable in hissight:
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If ye continue in the faithgroundedandsettled,and be not moved awayfrom the hope of the gospel,which ye have heard, and which was preachedtoeverycreature which is underheaven;whereofIPaul am made a minister;
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Whonowrejoiceinmysufferingsforyou,and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christinmyfleshforhisbody'ssake, which is the church:
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WhereofI am made a minister, according to the dispensation of Godwhich is given to meforyou, to fulfil[d] the word of God;
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Even the mysterywhich hath been hidfromagesandfromgenerations,butnow is made manifest to hissaints:
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To whomGodwould make knownwhat is the riches of the glory of thismysteryamong the Gentiles;whichisChristin[e]you, the hope of glory:
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Whomwepreach, warningeveryman,andteachingeverymaninallwisdom;that we may presenteverymanperfectinChristJesus:
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Whereunto*Ialsolabour, striving according tohisworking,whichworkethinmemightily*.