Bible in 90 Days

²⁶ For you are all ^(A)sons of God through faith in ^(B)Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For all of you who were ^(C)baptized into Christ have ^(D)clothed yourselves with Christ. ^28 (E)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no ^(F)male and female, for ^(G)you are all one in ^(H)Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if ^(I)you ^[a]belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s ^[b]seed, heirs according to ^(J)promise.

Sonship in Christ

4 Now I say, as long as the heir is a ^[c]child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is ^[d]owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father. ³ So also we, while we were children, were ^(K)enslaved under the ^[e](L)elemental things of the world. ⁴ But when ^(M)the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, ^(N)born of a woman, born ^(O)under ^[f]the Law, ⁵ so that He might redeem those who were under ^[g]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as ^(P)sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, ^(Q)God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “^(R)Abba! Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and ^(S)if a son, then an heir ^[h]through God.

⁸ However at that time, ^(T)when you did not know God, you were ^(U)slaves to ^(V)those which by nature are no gods. ⁹ But now, having known God, or rather having been ^(W)known by God, ^(X)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless ^[i](Y)elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? ¹⁰ You ^(Z)observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored ^[j]over you for nothing.

¹² I beg of you, ^(AA)brothers, ^(AB)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. ¹³ But you know that it was because of a ^[k]bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the ^[l]first time; ¹⁴ and that which was a ^[m]trial to you in my ^[n]bodily condition you did not despise or ^[o]loathe, but ^(AC)you received me as an angel of God, as ^(AD)Christ Jesus Himself. ¹⁵ Where then is ^[p]that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So have I become your enemy ^(AE)by ^[q]telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them. ¹⁸ But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable ^[r]manner, and ^(AF)not only when I am present with you. ^19 (AG)My children, with whom ^(AH)I am again in labor until ^(AI)Christ is formed in you— ²⁰ but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because ^(AJ)I am perplexed about you.

An Allegory of Two Covenants

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not ^(AK)listen to the Law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, ^(AL)one by the servant-woman and ^(AM)one by the free woman. ²³ But ^(AN)the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while ^(AO)the son by the free woman through the promise. ^24 [s](AP)This is ^[t]spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from ^(AQ)Mount Sinai bearing children into ^(AR)slavery; ^[u]she is Hagar. ²⁵ Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But ^(AS)the Jerusalem above is free; ^[v]she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,

²⁸ And you brothers, ^(AU)in accordance with Isaac, are ^(AV)children of promise. ²⁹ But as at that time ^(AW)he who was born according to the flesh ^(AX)was persecuting him who was born according to the Spirit, ^(AY)so it is now also. ³⁰ But what does the Scripture say?

³¹ So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, ^[w]but of the free woman.

Christ Set Us Free

5 ^[x](BB)It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, ^(BC)stand firm and do not be subject again to a ^(BD)yoke of slavery.

² Behold I, ^(BE)Paul, say to you that if you receive ^(BF)circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ And I ^(BG)testify again to every man who receives ^(BH)circumcision, that he is under obligation to ^(BI)keep the whole Law. ⁴ You have been ^[y]severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have ^(BJ)fallen from grace! ⁵ For we ^[z]through the Spirit, ^[aa]by faith, are ^(BK)eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in ^(BL)Christ Jesus ^(BM)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but ^(BN)faith working through love.

⁷ You were ^(BO)running well; who hindered you from ^[ab]obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from ^(BP)Him who calls you. ^9 (BQ)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ^10 (BR)I have confidence ^[ac]in you in the Lord that you ^(BS)will adopt no other view. But the one who is ^(BT)disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. ¹¹ But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still ^(BU)persecuted? Then ^(BV)the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. ¹² I wish that ^(BW)those who are upsetting you would even ^[ad](BX)mutilate themselves.

¹³ For you were called to ^(BY)freedom, brothers; ^(BZ)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love ^(CA)serve one another. ¹⁴ For ^(CB)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “^(CC)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you ^(CD)bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

Walk by the Spirit

¹⁶ But I say, ^(CE)walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out ^(CF)the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For ^(CG)the flesh ^[ae]sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, ^(CH)so that you do not do the things that you want. ¹⁸ But if you are ^(CI)led by the Spirit, ^(CJ)you are not under the Law. ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^(CK)sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, ^(CL)sorcery, enmities, ^(CM)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, ^(CN)selfish ambition, dissensions, ^[af](CO)factions, ²¹ envying, ^(CP)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not ^(CQ)inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But ^(CR)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(CS)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, ^(CT)self-control. Against such things ^(CU)there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who ^[ag]belong to ^(CV)Christ Jesus ^(CW)crucified the flesh with its passions and ^(CX)desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also ^[ah]walk in step with ^(CY)the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become those with ^(CZ)vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 ^(DA)Brothers, even if ^[ai]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are ^(DB)spiritual, ^(DC)restore such a one ^(DD)in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ^2 (DE)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill ^(DF)the law of Christ. ³ For ^(DG)if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But each one must ^(DH)examine his own work, and then he will have reason for ^(DI)boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. ⁵ For ^(DJ)each one will bear his own load.

^6 (DK)And the one who is instructed in ^(DL)the word is to share in all good things with the one who instructs him. ^7 (DM)Do not be deceived, ^(DN)God is not mocked, for ^(DO)whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. ^8 (DP)For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap ^(DQ)corruption, but ^(DR)the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ^9 (DS)And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we ^(DT)do not grow weary. ¹⁰ So then, ^[aj](DU)while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the ^(DV)household of ^(DW)the faith.

¹¹ See with what large letters I ^[ak]am writing to you ^(DX)with my own hand! ¹² As many as are wanting ^(DY)to make a good showing in the flesh, these are trying to ^(DZ)compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they ^(EA)will not be persecuted ^[al]for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For those who ^[am]are circumcised do not even ^(EB)keep ^[an]the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may ^(EC)boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But ^(ED)may it never be that I would boast, ^(EE)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(EF)through ^[ao]which the world has been crucified to me, and ^(EG)I to the world. ¹⁵ For ^(EH)neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a ^(EI)new ^[ap]creation. ¹⁶ And those who will ^[aq]walk in step with this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the ^(EJ)Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the ^(EK)marks of Jesus.

^18 (EL)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ^(EM)with your spirit, ^(EN)brothers. Amen.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

1 Paul, ^(EO)an apostle of ^(EP)Christ Jesus ^[ar](EQ)by the will of God,

To the ^[as](ER)saints who are ^[at]at ^(ES)Ephesus and ^(ET)who are faithful in ^(EU)Christ Jesus: ^2 (EV)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

^3 (EW)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in ^(EX)the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as ^(EY)He chose us in Him before ^(EZ)the foundation of the world, that we would be ^(FA)holy and blameless before ^[au]Him ^(FB)in love, ⁵ by ^(FC)predestining us to ^(FD)adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, ^(FE)according to the good pleasure of His will, ^6 (FF)to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in ^(FG)the Beloved. ^7 (FH)In ^[av]Him we have ^(FI)redemption ^(FJ)through His blood, the ^(FK)forgiveness of our transgressions, according to ^(FL)the riches of His grace ⁸ which He caused to abound to us in all wisdom and insight, ^9 (FM)making known to us the mystery of His will, ^(FN)according to His good pleasure which He ^(FO)purposed in Him ¹⁰ for an administration of ^(FP)the fullness of the times, that is, ^(FQ)the summing up of all things in Christ, things ^[aw]in the heavens and things on the earth in Him. ¹¹ In ^[ax]Him, we also ^[ay](FR)have been made an inheritance, having been ^(FS)predestined ^(FT)according to the purpose of Him who works all things ^(FU)according to the counsel of His will, ¹² to the end that we who first have hoped in ^[az]Christ would be ^(FV)to the praise of His glory. ¹³ In ^[ba]Him, you also, after listening to ^(FW)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also ^[bb]believed, you were ^(FX)sealed in ^[bc]Him with ^(FY)the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is ^[bd](FZ)given as a pledge of ^(GA)our inheritance, unto the ^(GB)redemption of ^(GC)God’s own possession, ^(GD)to the praise of His glory.

¹⁵ For this reason I too, ^(GE)having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and ^[be]your love for ^(GF)all the ^[bf]saints, ^16 (GG)do not cease giving thanks for you, ^(GH)while making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the ^(GI)God of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(GJ)the Father of glory, may give to you the ^[bg]Spirit of ^(GK)wisdom and of ^(GL)revelation in the ^[bh]full knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ so that you—^(GM)the eyes of your heart having been enlightened—will know what is the ^(GN)hope of His ^(GO)calling, what are ^(GP)the riches of the glory of ^(GQ)His inheritance in ^(GR)the ^[bi]saints, ¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe ^(GS)according to the working of the ^(GT)might of His strength, ²⁰ which He worked in Christ, by ^(GU)raising Him from the dead and ^(GV)seating Him at His right hand in ^(GW)the heavenly places, ²¹ far above ^(GX)all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every ^(GY)name that is named, not only in ^(GZ)this age but also in the one to come. ²² And ^(HA)He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as ^(HB)head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His ^(HC)body, the ^(HD)fullness of Him who ^(HE)fills ^(HF)all in all.

By Grace Through Faith

2 And you ^[bj]were ^(HG)dead ^[bk]in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you ^(HH)formerly walked according to the ^[bl]course of ^(HI)this world, according to ^(HJ)the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in ^(HK)the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom we all also ^(HL)formerly conducted ourselves in ^(HM)the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the ^[bm]mind, and were ^(HN)by nature ^(HO)children of wrath, ^(HP)even as the rest. ⁴ But God, being ^(HQ)rich in mercy because of ^(HR)His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were ^(HS)dead ^[bn]in our transgressions, made us alive together ^[bo]with Christ—^(HT)by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and ^(HU)raised us up with Him, and ^(HV)seated us with Him in ^(HW)the heavenly places in ^(HX)Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing ^(HY)riches of His grace in ^(HZ)kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For ^(IA)by grace you have been saved ^(IB)through faith, and ^[bp]this not of yourselves, it is ^(IC)the gift of God; ^9 (ID)not of works, so that ^(IE)no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, ^(IF)created in ^(IG)Christ Jesus for ^(IH)good works, which God ^(II)prepared beforehand so that we would ^(IJ)walk in them.

¹¹ Therefore, remember that ^(IK)formerly ^(IL)you—the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “^(IM)Uncircumcision” by the so-called “^(IN)Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time without Christ, ^(IO)alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to ^(IP)the covenants of promise, having ^(IQ)no hope and ^(IR)without God in the world. ¹³ But now in ^(IS)Christ Jesus you who ^(IT)formerly were ^(IU)far off ^[bq]have ^(IV)been brought near ^(IW)by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is ^(IX)our peace, ^(IY)who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition ^15 [br]by ^(IZ)abolishing in His flesh the enmity, ^(JA)the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might ^(JB)create the two into ^(JC)one new man, making ^(JD)peace, ¹⁶ and might ^(JE)reconcile them both in ^(JF)one body to God through the cross, having in Himself ^(JG)put to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And ^(JH)He came and preached ^(JI)the good news of peace to you who were ^(JJ)far away, and peace to those who were ^(JK)near; ¹⁸ for through Him we both have ^(JL)our access in ^(JM)one Spirit to ^(JN)the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer ^(JO)strangers and sojourners, but you are ^(JP)fellow citizens with the ^[bs]saints, and are of ^(JQ)God’s household, ²⁰ having been ^(JR)built on ^(JS)the foundation of ^(JT)the apostles and prophets, ^(JU)Christ Jesus Himself being the ^(JV)corner stone, ^21 (JW)in whom the whole building, being joined together, is growing into ^(JX)a holy ^[bt]sanctuary in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being ^(JY)built together into a ^(JZ)dwelling of God in the Spirit.

The Mystery of Christ Revealed

3 For this reason I, Paul, ^(KA)the prisoner of ^(KB)Christ Jesus ^(KC)on behalf of you ^(KD)Gentiles— ² if indeed you heard of the ^(KE)stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; ^3 (KF)that ^(KG)by revelation there was ^(KH)made known to me ^(KI)the mystery, ^(KJ)as I wrote before in brief. ⁴ About which, when you read you can understand ^(KK)my insight ^[bu]into the ^(KL)mystery of Christ, ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy ^(KM)apostles and prophets ^[bv]in the Spirit: ⁶ that the Gentiles are ^(KN)fellow heirs and ^(KO)fellow members of the body, and ^(KP)fellow partakers of the promise in ^(KQ)Christ Jesus through the gospel, ^7 (KR)of which I was made a ^(KS)minister, according to the gift of ^(KT)God’s grace which was given to me ^(KU)according to the working of His power. ⁸ To me, ^(KV)the very least of all ^[bw]saints, this grace was given, to ^(KW)proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the unfathomable ^(KX)riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for all what is the administration of the ^(KY)mystery which for ages has been ^(KZ)hidden in God ^(LA)who created all things; ¹⁰ so that the manifold ^(LB)wisdom of God might now be ^(LC)made known through the church to the ^(LD)rulers and the authorities in ^(LE)the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was in ^(LF)accordance with the ^[bx]eternal purpose which He ^[by]carried out in ^(LG)Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and ^[bz](LH)confident ^(LI)access through faith ^[ca]in Him. ¹³ Therefore I ask ^[cb]you not ^(LJ)to lose heart at my afflictions ^(LK)on your behalf, which are your glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Power

¹⁴ For this reason I ^(LL)bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom ^[cc]every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would give you, according to ^(LM)the riches of His glory, to be ^(LN)strengthened with power through His Spirit in ^(LO)the inner man, ¹⁷ so that ^(LP)Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being firmly ^(LQ)rooted and ^(LR)grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with ^(LS)all the ^[cd]saints what is ^(LT)the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know ^(LU)the love of Christ which ^(LV)surpasses knowledge, that you may be ^(LW)filled up to all the ^(LX)fullness of God.

^20 (LY)Now to Him who is ^(LZ)able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or understand, ^(MA)according to the power that works within us, ^21 (MB)to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations ^[ce]forever and ever. Amen.

Unity of the Spirit

4 Therefore I, ^(MC)the prisoner in the Lord, ^(MD)exhort you to ^(ME)walk worthy of the ^(MF)calling with which you have been ^(MG)called, ² with all ^(MH)humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another ^(MI)in love, ³ being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the ^(MJ)bond of peace. ⁴ There is ^(MK)one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one ^(ML)hope of your calling; ^5 (MM)one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all ^(MN)who is over all and through all and in all.

⁷ But ^(MO)to each one of us ^(MP)grace was given ^(MQ)according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore ^[cf]it says,

⁹ (Now this expression, “He ^(MT)ascended,” what ^[cg]does it mean except that He also ^[ch]descended into ^(MU)the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is Himself also He who ascended ^(MV)far above all the heavens, so that He might ^(MW)fill all things.) ¹¹ And He Himself ^(MX)gave ^(MY)some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as ^(MZ)evangelists, and some as pastors and ^(NA)teachers, ^12 (NB)for the equipping of the ^[ci]saints for the work of service, to the building up of ^(NC)the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to ^(ND)the unity of the faith, and of the ^[cj](NE)full knowledge of the Son of God, to a ^(NF)mature man, to the measure of the stature ^[ck]which belongs to the ^(NG)fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we are ^(NH)no longer to be children, ^(NI)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by ^(NJ)craftiness ^[cl]in ^(NK)deceitful scheming, ¹⁵ but ^[cm]speaking the truth ^(NL)in love, ^[cn]we are to ^(NM)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the ^(NN)head, that is Christ, ¹⁶ from whom ^(NO)the whole body, being joined and held together ^[co]by what every joint supplies, according to the properly ^(NP)measured working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself ^(NQ)in love.

Put On the New Man

^17 (NR)Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, ^(NS)that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the ^(NT)futility of their mind, ¹⁸ being ^(NU)darkened in their mind, ^(NV)alienated from the life of God because of the ^(NW)ignorance that is in them, because of the ^(NX)hardness of their heart. ¹⁹ And they, having ^(NY)become callous, ^(NZ)have given themselves over to ^(OA)sensuality ^[cp]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. ²⁰ But you did not ^(OB)learn ^[cq]Christ in this way— ²¹ if indeed you ^(OC)heard Him and were ^(OD)taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, ^22 [cr]to ^(OE)lay aside, in reference to your former conduct, the ^(OF)old man, which is being corrupted in accordance with the ^(OG)lusts of deceit, ²³ and to be ^(OH)renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and to ^(OI)put on the ^(OJ)new man, which ^[cs](OK)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

²⁵ Therefore, ^(OL)laying aside falsehood, ^(OM)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are ^(ON)members of one another. ^26 (OO)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and do not ^(OP)give the devil ^[ct]an opportunity. ²⁸ He who steals must steal no longer, but rather ^(OQ)he must labor, ^(OR)performing with his own hands what is good, ^(OS)so that he will have something to share with ^[cu]one who has need. ²⁹ Let no ^[cv](OT)unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for ^(OU)building up ^[cw]what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear. ^30 (OV)And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, ^[cx]by whom you were ^(OW)sealed for the day of redemption. ^31 (OX)Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and shouting and slander be ^(OY)put away from you, along with all ^(OZ)malice. ^32 (PA)Instead, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, ^(PB)just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven ^[cy]you.

Be Imitators of God

5 ^(PC)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, ² and ^(PD)walk in love, just as Christ also ^(PE)loved ^[cz]us and ^(PF)gave Himself up for us, an ^(PG)offering and a sacrifice to God ^[da]as a ^(PH)fragrant aroma.

³ But ^(PI)sexual immorality ^[db]or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among ^[dc]saints; ⁴ nor ^(PJ)filthiness and foolish talk, or coarse jesting, which ^(PK)are not fitting, but rather ^(PL)giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know with certainty, that ^(PM)no one sexually immoral or impure or greedy, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom ^(PN)of Christ and God.

^6 (PO)Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things ^(PP)the wrath of God comes upon ^(PQ)the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be ^(PR)partakers with them, ⁸ for ^(PS)you were formerly ^(PT)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as ^(PU)children of light ⁹ (for ^(PV)the fruit of that light consists in all ^(PW)goodness and righteousness and truth), ^10 [dd](PX)trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ^11 (PY)And do not participate in the unfruitful ^(PZ)works of ^(QA)darkness, but instead even ^[de](QB)expose them. ¹² For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things become visible ^(QC)when they are ^[df]exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ¹⁴ For this reason ^[dg]it says,

¹⁵ Therefore look carefully how you ^(QG)walk, not ^(QH)as unwise but as wise, ^16 (QI)redeeming the time, because ^(QJ)the days are evil. ¹⁷ On account of this, do not be foolish, but ^(QK)understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And ^(QL)do not get drunk with wine, ^[dh]for that is ^(QM)dissipation, but be ^(QN)filled with the Spirit, ^19 (QO)speaking to ^[di]one another in ^(QP)psalms and ^(QQ)hymns and spiritual ^(QR)songs, ^(QS)singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; ^20 (QT)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to ^[dj](QU)God, even the Father; ^21 [dk](QV)and being subject to one another in the ^[dl](QW)fear of Christ.

Wives and Husbands

^22 (QX)Wives, ^(QY)be subject to your own husbands, ^(QZ)as to the Lord. ²³ For ^(RA)the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the ^(RB)head of the church, He Himself ^(RC)being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

^25 (RD)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and ^(RE)gave Himself up for her, ^26 (RF)so that He might sanctify her, having ^(RG)cleansed her by the ^(RH)washing of water with ^(RI)the word, ²⁷ that He might ^(RJ)present to Himself the church ^[dm]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be ^(RK)holy and blameless. ²⁸ So husbands ought also to ^(RL)love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; ²⁹ for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, ³⁰ because we are ^(RM)members of His ^(RN)body. ^31 (RO)For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. ³² This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to ^(RP)love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she ^[dn](RQ)respects her husband.

Children and Parents

6 ^(RR)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ^2 (RS)Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), ³ so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the land.

^4 (RT)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but ^(RU)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

^5 (RV)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your ^[do]masters according to the flesh, with ^(RW)fear and trembling, in the ^[dp]integrity of your heart, ^(RX)as to Christ; ^6 (RY)not ^[dq]by way of eyeservice, as ^(RZ)men-pleasers, but as ^(SA)slaves of Christ, ^(SB)doing the will of God from the ^[dr]heart, ⁷ serving with good will ^(SC)as to the Lord, and not to men, ^8 (SD)knowing that ^(SE)whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, ^(SF)whether slave or free.

⁹ And masters, do the same things to them, ^(SG)giving up threatening, knowing that ^(SH)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is ^(SI)no partiality with Him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, ^(SJ)be strong in the Lord and in ^(SK)the might of His strength. ^11 (SL)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the ^(SM)schemes of the devil. ¹² For our ^(SN)struggle is not against ^[ds](SO)flesh and blood, but ^(SP)against the rulers, against the authorities, against the ^(SQ)world forces of this ^(SR)darkness, against the ^(SS)spiritual forces of wickedness in ^(ST)the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up ^(SU)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to ^(SV)resist in ^(SW)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, ^(SX)having girded your loins with truth, and having ^(SY)put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having ^(SZ)shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. ^16 [dt]In addition to all, having taken up the ^(TA)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the ^(TB)flaming arrows of ^(TC)the evil one, ¹⁷ also receive ^(TD)the helmet of salvation, and the ^(TE)sword of the Spirit, which is ^(TF)the word of God,

^18 (TG)praying at all times ^[du]with all ^(TH)prayer and petition ^(TI)in the Spirit, and to this end, ^(TJ)being on the alert with all ^(TK)perseverance and ^(TL)petition for all the saints, ¹⁹ as well as ^(TM)on my behalf, that ^[dv]words may be given to me ^(TN)in the opening of my mouth, to make known with ^(TO)boldness ^(TP)the mystery of the gospel— ²⁰ for which I am an ^(TQ)ambassador ^(TR)in ^[dw]chains—so that ^[dx]in proclaiming it I may speak ^(TS)boldly, ^(TT)as I ought to speak.

^21 (TU)But that you also may know about all my affairs, ^[dy]how I am doing, ^(TV)Tychicus, ^(TW)the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. ^22 [dz](TX)I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know ^[ea]our circumstances, and that he may ^(TY)encourage your hearts.

^23 (TZ)Peace be to the brothers, and ^(UA)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ ^[eb]with incorruptible love.

Thanksgiving

1 ^(UB)Paul and ^(UC)Timothy, ^(UD)slaves of ^(UE)Christ Jesus,

To ^(UF)all the ^[ec](UG)saints in Christ Jesus who are in ^(UH)Philippi, with the ^(UI)overseers and ^(UJ)deacons: ^2 (UK)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

^3 (UL)I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in ^(UM)my every prayer for you all, ⁵ because of your ^[ed](UN)fellowship in the ^(UO)gospel ^(UP)from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until ^(UQ)the day of Christ Jesus. ^7 [ee]For ^(UR)it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I ^(US)have you in my heart, since both in my ^(UT)chains and in the ^(UU)defense and confirmation of the ^(UV)gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace. ⁸ For ^(UW)God is my witness, how I long for you all with the ^[ef]affection of ^(UX)Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray, that ^(UY)your love may abound still more and more in ^(UZ)full knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may ^[eg](VA)approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault ^[eh]until ^(VB)the day of Christ, ¹¹ having been filled with the ^(VC)fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Progress of the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances ^(VD)have turned out for the greater progress of the ^(VE)gospel, ¹³ so that my ^(VF)chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole ^[ei]praetorian guard and to ^(VG)everyone else, ¹⁴ and that most of the ^[ej]brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my ^(VH)chains, have ^(VI)far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. ^15 (VJ)Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even ^[ek]from envy and strife, but some also ^[el]from good will; ¹⁶ the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the ^(VK)gospel; ¹⁷ the former proclaim Christ ^(VL)out of selfish ambition ^[em]rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my ^(VM)chains. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that ^(VN)this will turn out for my salvation ^(VO)through your ^[en]prayers and the provision of ^(VP)the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my ^(VQ)earnest expectation and ^(VR)hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with ^(VS)all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be ^(VT)magnified in my body, ^(VU)whether by life or by death.

To Live Is Christ

²¹ For to me, ^(VV)to live is Christ and to die is gain. ^22 [eo]But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean ^(VW)fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. ²³ But I am hard-pressed ^[ep]between the two, having the ^(VX)desire to depart and ^(VY)be with Christ, for that is very much better, ²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ^25 (VZ)And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy ^[eq]in the faith, ²⁶ so that your reason for ^(WA)boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only ^[er]live your lives in a manner ^(WB)worthy of the ^(WC)gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are ^(WD)standing firm in ^(WE)one spirit, with one ^[es]mind ^(WF)contending together for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a ^(WG)sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. ²⁹ For to you ^(WH)it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to ^(WI)suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same ^(WJ)struggle which ^(WK)you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any ^(WL)fellowship of the Spirit, if any ^[et](WM)affection and compassion, ^2 (WN)fulfill my joy, that ^(WO)you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, ³ doing nothing ^[eu]from ^[ev](WP)selfish ambition or ^(WQ)vain glory, but with humility of mind ^(WR)regarding one another as more important than yourselves, ^4 (WS)not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ^5 (WT)Have this way of thinking ^[ew]in yourselves which was also in ^(WU)Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although ^(WV)existing in the ^(WW)form of God, ^(WX)did not regard equality with God a thing ^[ex]to be grasped, ⁷ but ^[ey](WY)emptied Himself, by taking the form of a ^(WZ)slave, by ^(XA)being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, ^(XB)He humbled Himself by becoming ^(XC)obedient to the point of death, even ^(XD)death ^[ez]on a cross. ^9 (XE)Therefore, God also ^(XF)highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him ^(XG)the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus ^(XH)every knee will bow, of ^(XI)those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and that ^(XJ)every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is ^[fa](XK)Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² So then, my beloved, ^(XL)just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your ^(XM)salvation with ^(XN)fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is ^(XO)God who is at work in you, both to will and to work ^(XP)for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without ^(XQ)grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ so that you will be ^(XR)blameless and innocent, ^(XS)children of God without blemish in the midst of a ^(XT)crooked and perverse generation, among whom you ^(XU)shine as ^[fb]lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding ^[fc]fast the word of life, so that in ^(XV)the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not ^(XW)run in vain nor ^(XX)labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being ^(XY)poured out as a drink offering upon ^(XZ)the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ¹⁸ And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus Sent

¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to ^(YA)send ^(YB)Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be in good spirits when I learn of your circumstances. ²⁰ For I have no one else ^(YC)of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances. ²¹ For they all ^(YD)seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know ^(YE)of his proven worth, that ^(YF)he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel ^(YG)like a child serving his father. ^23 (YH)Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I ^[fd]evaluate my own circumstances, ²⁴ and ^(YI)I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. ²⁵ But I regarded it necessary to send to you ^(YJ)Epaphroditus, my brother and ^(YK)fellow worker and ^(YL)fellow soldier, who is also your ^[fe](YM)messenger and ^(YN)minister to my need; ²⁶ because he was longing ^[ff]for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned. ^29 (YO)Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and ^(YP)hold men like him in high regard ³⁰ because he came close to death ^[fg](YQ)for the work of Christ, risking his life to ^(YR)fulfill ^[fh]what was lacking in your service to me.

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3 Finally, my brothers, ^(YS)rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

² Beware of the ^(YT)dogs! Beware of the ^(YU)evil workers! Beware of the ^[fi]mutilation! ³ For ^(YV)we are the ^[fj]circumcision, who ^(YW)worship ^[fk]in the Spirit of God and ^(YX)boast in ^(YY)Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, ⁴ although ^(YZ)I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: ^5 (ZA)circumcised the eighth day, of the ^(ZB)nation of Israel, of the ^(ZC)tribe of Benjamin, a ^(ZD)Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, ^(ZE)a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, ^(ZF)a persecutor of the church; as to the ^(ZG)righteousness which is in the Law, found ^(ZH)blameless.

⁷ But ^(ZI)whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of ^[fl](ZJ)knowing ^(ZK)Christ Jesus my Lord, ^[fm]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having ^(ZL)a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, ^(ZM)the righteousness which is from God upon faith, ¹⁰ that I may ^(ZN)know Him and ^(ZO)the power of His resurrection and ^[fn](ZP)the fellowship of His sufferings, being ^(ZQ)conformed to His death, ^11 [fo]in order that I may ^(ZR)attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing On Toward the Goal

¹² Not that I have already ^(ZS)obtained it or have already ^(ZT)become perfect, but I press on ^[fp]so that I may ^(ZU)lay hold of that ^[fq]for which also I ^(ZV)was laid hold of by ^(ZW)Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: ^(ZX)forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I ^(ZY)press on toward the goal for the prize of the ^(ZZ)upward call of God in ^(AAA)Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are ^[fr](AAB)perfect, think this way; and if in anything you ^(AAC)think differently, ^(AAD)God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ However, let us keep ^[fs](AAE)walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained.

¹⁷ Brothers, ^(AAF)join in following my example, and ^(AAG)look for those who walk according to the ^(AAH)pattern you have in us. ¹⁸ For ^(AAI)many walk—of whom I often told you, and now tell you even ^(AAJ)crying—as enemies of ^(AAK)the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their ^(AAL)stomach and ^(AAM)glory is in their shame, who ^(AAN)set their thoughts on earthly things. ²⁰ For ^(AAO)our ^[ft]citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly ^(AAP)wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will ^(AAQ)transform ^[fu]the body of our humble state into ^(AAR)conformity with ^[fv]the ^(AAS)body of His glory, ^(AAT)by His working through which He is able to even ^(AAU)subject all things to Himself.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

4 Therefore my brothers, loved and ^(AAV)longed for, my joy and crown, in this way ^(AAW)stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to ^(AAX)think the same way in the Lord. ³ Indeed, I ask you also, genuine companion, help these women who have contended together alongside of me in the gospel, with also Clement and the rest of my ^(AAY)fellow workers, whose ^(AAZ)names are in the book of life.

^4 (ABA)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your considerate spirit be known to all men. ^(ABB)The Lord is ^[fw]near. ^6 (ABC)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by ^(ABD)prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(ABE)the peace of God, which surpasses all ^[fx]comprehension, will ^(ABF)guard your hearts and your ^(ABG)minds in ^(ABH)Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, ^(ABI)whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is ^[fy]lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things. ⁹ The things you have learned and received and heard and seen ^(ABJ)in me, practice these things, and ^(ABK)the God of peace will be with you.

God Will Fill Your Needs

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last ^(ABL)you have revived thinking about me; indeed, you were thinking about me before, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak ^[fz]from want, for I learned to be ^[ga](ABM)content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in abundance; in any and all things I have learned the secret of being filled and going ^(ABN)hungry, both of having abundance and ^(ABO)suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things ^[gb]through Him who ^(ABP)strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you have done well to ^(ABQ)fellowship with me in my affliction.

¹⁵ And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the ^[gc](ABR)first preaching of the gospel, after I left ^(ABS)Macedonia, no church ^(ABT)fellowshipped with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. ¹⁶ For even in ^(ABU)Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. ^17 (ABV)Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the fruit which increases to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I have been filled, having received from ^(ABW)Epaphroditus ^[gd]what you have sent, ^[ge](ABX)a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And ^(ABY)my God will fulfill ^[gf]all your needs according to His ^(ABZ)riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to ^(ACA)our God and Father ^(ACB)be the glory ^[gg]forever and ever. Amen.

²¹ Greet every ^[gh]saint in Christ Jesus. ^(ACC)The brothers who are with me greet you. ^22 (ACD)All the ^[gi](ACE)saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

^23 (ACF)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ^(ACG)be with your spirit.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

1 ^(ACH)Paul, ^(ACI)an apostle of Christ Jesus ^[gj](ACJ)by the will of God, and ^(ACK)Timothy ^[gk]our brother,

² To the ^[gl](ACL)saints and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: ^(ACM)Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

^3 (ACN)We give thanks to God, ^(ACO)the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ^4 (ACP)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the ^(ACQ)love which you have ^[gm]for ^(ACR)all the ^[gn]saints, ⁵ because of the ^(ACS)hope ^(ACT)laid up for you in ^[go]heaven, of which you previously ^(ACU)heard in the word of truth, ^[gp]the gospel ⁶ which has come to you, just as ^[gq](ACV)in all the world also it is constantly bearing ^(ACW)fruit and ^[gr]multiplying, just as it has been doing in you also since the day you ^(ACX)heard and ^[gs]understood the grace of God in truth; ⁷ just as you learned it from ^(ACY)Epaphras, our ^(ACZ)beloved fellow slave, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ who also informed us of your ^(ADA)love in the Spirit.

⁹ For this reason also, ^(ADB)since the day we heard, ^(ADC)we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the ^[gt](ADD)full knowledge of His will in all spiritual ^(ADE)wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so that you may ^(ADF)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, ^[gu](ADG)to please Him in all respects, ^(ADH)bearing fruit in every good work and ^[gv]multiplying in the ^[gw]full knowledge of God; ^11 (ADI)being strengthened with all power, according to ^[gx]His glorious might, ^[gy]for the attaining of all steadfastness and ^[gz]patience; ^(ADJ)joyously ¹² giving thanks to ^(ADK)the Father, who has qualified us ^[ha]to share in ^(ADL)the inheritance of the ^[hb]saints in ^(ADM)light. ¹³ Who rescued us from the ^(ADN)authority of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of ^(ADO)the Son of His love, ^14 (ADP)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Firstborn of All Creation

²¹ And although you were ^(AEI)formerly alienated and enemies in mind and in evil deeds, ²² but now He ^(AEJ)reconciled you in the ^(AEK)body of His flesh through death, in order to ^(AEL)present you before Him ^(AEM)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— ²³ if indeed you continue in ^[hi]the faith firmly ^(AEN)grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the ^(AEO)hope of the gospel, which you have heard, which was proclaimed ^(AEP)in all creation under heaven, ^(AEQ)and of which I, Paul, ^[hj]was made a ^[hk](AER)minister.

^24 (AES)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and ^(AET)I fill up what is lacking of Christ’s afflictions in my flesh, on behalf of ^(AEU)His body, which is the church, ^25 (AEV)of which I ^[hl]was made a minister according to the ^(AEW)stewardship from God given to me for you, so that I might ^[hm]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶ that is, ^(AEX)the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His ^[hn]saints, ²⁷ to whom ^(AEY)God willed to make known what is ^(AEZ)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is ^(AFA)Christ in you, the ^(AFB)hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, ^(AFC)admonishing every man and teaching every man ^[ho]with all ^(AFD)wisdom, so that we may ^(AFE)present every man ^[hp](AFF)complete in Christ. ²⁹ For this purpose I also ^(AFG)labor, ^(AFH)striving ^(AFI)according to His working, which He works in me in power.

Alive with Christ

2 For I want you to understand how great a ^(AFJ)struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at ^(AFK)Laodicea, and for all those who have not seen my face in the flesh, ² so that their ^(AFL)hearts may be encouraged, having been ^(AFM)held together in love, even unto all ^(AFN)the wealth of the full assurance of understanding, unto the ^(AFO)full knowledge of ^(AFP)God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³ in whom are hidden all ^(AFQ)the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ^4 (AFR)I say this so that no one will delude you with ^(AFS)persuasive argument. ⁵ For even though I am ^(AFT)absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing ^[hq]to see your ^(AFU)good order and the ^(AFV)stability of your faith in Christ.

⁶ Therefore as you received ^(AFW)Christ Jesus the Lord, so ^[hr](AFX)walk in Him, ⁷ having been firmly ^(AFY)rooted and being ^(AFZ)built up in Him, and having been ^(AGA)established ^[hs]in your faith—just as you ^(AGB)were instructed—and abounding ^[ht]with thanksgiving.

^8 (AGC)See to it that no one takes you captive through ^(AGD)philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the ^(AGE)elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him all the ^(AGF)fullness of Deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰ and in Him you have been ^(AGG)filled, ^(AGH)who is the head ^[hu]over all ^(AGI)rule and authority; ¹¹ in whom ^(AGJ)you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of ^(AGK)the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, ¹² having been ^(AGL)buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also ^(AGM)raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who ^(AGN)raised Him from the dead. ¹³ And you being ^(AGO)dead ^[hv]in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He ^(AGP)made you alive with Him, having graciously forgiven us all our transgressions. ¹⁴ Having canceled out ^(AGQ)the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us which was hostile to us, ^(AGR)He also has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having ^[hw](AGS)disarmed the ^(AGT)rulers and authorities, He ^(AGU)made a public display of them, having ^(AGV)triumphed over them in ^[hx]Him.

¹⁶ Therefore, no one is to ^(AGW)judge you in ^(AGX)food and ^(AGY)drink, or in respect to a ^(AGZ)festival or a ^(AHA)new moon or a ^(AHB)Sabbath ^[hy]day— ¹⁷ things which are only a ^(AHC)shadow of what is to come; but the ^[hz]substance ^[ia]belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one keep ^[ib](AHD)defrauding you of your prize by ^(AHE)delighting in ^[ic]self-abasement and the worship of the angels, going into detail about visions he has seen, ^(AHF)being puffed up for nothing by his ^(AHG)fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to ^(AHH)the head, from whom ^(AHI)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ^[id]ligaments, grows with a growth ^[ie]that is from God.

^20 (AHJ)If you have died with Christ ^[if]to the ^(AHK)elementary principles of the world, ^(AHL)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to ^(AHM)decrees: ²¹ “Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch”? ²² Which ^[ig]deal with everything ^(AHN)destined to perish ^[ih]with use, which are in accordance with the ^(AHO)commands and teachings of men; ²³ which are matters having, to be sure, a ^[ii]word of wisdom in ^[ij](AHP)self-made religion and self-abasement and ^(AHQ)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against ^(AHR)fleshly indulgence.

Put On the New Man

3 Therefore, if you have been ^(AHS)raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, ^(AHT)seated at the right hand of God. ^2 [ik](AHU)Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ³ For you ^(AHV)died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, ^(AHW)who is our life, is manifested, ^(AHX)then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

^5 (AHY)Therefore, ^[il]consider ^(AHZ)the members of your earthly body as dead to ^(AIA)sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these things, ^(AIB)the wrath of God is coming ^[im]upon the sons of disobedience, ⁷ and ^(AIC)in them you also once walked, when you were living ^[in]in them. ⁸ But now you also, ^(AID)lay them all aside: ^(AIE)wrath, anger, malice, slander, and ^(AIF)abusive speech from your mouth. ^9 [io](AIG)Do not lie to one another, since you ^(AIH)put off the old man with its evil practices, ¹⁰ and have ^(AII)put on the new man who is being ^[ip](AIJ)renewed to a full knowledge ^(AIK)according to the image of the One who ^(AIL)created him— ¹¹ a renewal in which ^(AIM)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, ^(AIN)circumcised and uncircumcised, ^[iq](AIO)barbarian, Scythian, ^(AIP)slave, and freeman, but ^(AIQ)Christ is all and in all.

¹² So, as the ^(AIR)elect of God, holy and beloved, ^(AIS)put on a ^(AIT)heart of compassion, kindness, ^(AIU)humility, gentleness, and ^[ir](AIV)patience; ^13 (AIW)bearing with one another, and ^(AIX)graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, ^(AIY)just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you. ¹⁴ Above all these things put on love, which is ^[is](AIZ)the perfect bond of ^(AJA)unity. ¹⁵ And let ^(AJB)the peace of Christ ^[it]rule in your hearts, to which ^[iu]indeed you were called in ^(AJC)one body, and ^[iv]be thankful. ¹⁶ Let ^(AJD)the word of ^[iw]Christ dwell in you richly, ^[ix]with all wisdom ^(AJE)teaching and admonishing ^[iy]one another ^(AJF)with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(AJG)singing ^[iz]with gratefulness in your hearts to God. ^17 (AJH)And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(AJI)giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Family and Work

^18 (AJJ)Wives, ^(AJK)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ^19 (AJL)Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. ^20 (AJM)Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing ^[ja]to the Lord. ^21 (AJN)Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

^22 (AJO)Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters ^[jb]according to the flesh, ^(AJP)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but with ^[jc]integrity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, do your work ^[jd]heartily, ^(AJQ)as for the Lord ^[je]rather than for men, ^24 (AJR)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward ^[jf]of ^(AJS)the inheritance. ^[jg](AJT)Serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For ^(AJU)he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and ^[jh](AJV)that without partiality.

Final Instructions and Greetings

4 Masters, show to your slaves what is right and fair, ^(AJW)knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

^2 (AJX)Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; ³ praying at the same time ^(AJY)for us as well, that God will open up to us a ^(AJZ)door for ^(AKA)the word, so that we may speak ^(AKB)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also ^(AKC)been bound, ⁴ that I may make it ^(AKD)manifest ^(AKE)in the way I ought to speak.

^5 (AKF)Walk in wisdom toward ^(AKG)outsiders, ^(AKH)redeeming the time. ^6 (AKI)Let your ^[ji]words always be ^[jj]with grace, seasoned with ^(AKJ)salt, so that you will know how you should ^(AKK)answer each person.

^7 (AKL)Tychicus, our ^(AKM)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you ^(AKN)all my affairs, ^8 (AKO)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may ^(AKP)encourage your hearts; ^9 [jk]and with him ^(AKQ)Onesimus, our faithful and ^(AKR)beloved brother, ^(AKS)who is one of you. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

^10 (AKT)Aristarchus, my ^(AKU)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Mark, the cousin of ^(AKV)Barnabas (about whom you received ^[jl]instructions; ^(AKW)if he comes to you, welcome him); ¹¹ and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only ^(AKX)fellow workers for the kingdom of God ^(AKY)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be a comfort to me. ^12 (AKZ)Epaphras, ^(ALA)who is one of your number, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always ^(ALB)striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand ^[jm](ALC)complete and ^(ALD)fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ For I testify for him that he has ^[jn]a deep concern for you and for those who are in ^(ALE)Laodicea and Hierapolis. ^14 (ALF)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also ^(ALG)Demas. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in ^(ALH)Laodicea and also ^[jo]Nympha and ^(ALI)the church that is in ^[jp]her house. ^16 (ALJ)And when ^[jq]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part ^(ALK)read ^[jr]my letter that is coming from ^(ALL)Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to ^(ALM)Archippus, “Take heed to the ^(ALN)ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may ^[js]fulfill it.”

^18 (ALO)The greeting is in my own hand—^[jt]Paul. ^(ALP)Remember my ^(ALQ)chains. ^(ALR)Grace be with you.