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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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so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
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For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
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He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
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For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
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and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
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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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Spiritual Fullness in Christ
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
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rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
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In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,
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having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
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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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When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
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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 whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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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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I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
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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.
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I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
