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the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel
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that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
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I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
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To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
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I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
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These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
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These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
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Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
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And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
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Final Greetings
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
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My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
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Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
