Study Desk

We are giving thanks unto God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always, for you, offering prayer, -

Because of the hope that is lying by for you in the heavens, of which ye heard before, in the word of the truth of the glad-message,

For this cause, we also, from the day when we heard of you , cease not, in your behalf, praying and asking - that ye may be filled unto the personal knowledge of his will, in all spiritual wisdom and discernment,

Giving thanks unto the Father that hath made you sufficient for your share in the inheritance of the saints in the light,

Because, in him, were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones or lordships or principalities or authorities, - they all, through him and for him, have been created,

For I desire you to know, how great a contest I am having - in behalf of you, and of those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

For, though, indeed, in the flesh, I am absent, yet, in the spirit, with you, I am - rejoicing, and beholding your order and the solid firmness of your Christ-ward faith.

And, as for you - who were, dead, by your offences and by the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath brought you to life together with him, - having in favour forgiven us all our offences,

Which things are all for decay in the using up; - according to the commandments and teachings of men?

For ye have died, and, your life, is hid, together with the Christ, in God, -

Ye children! be obedient unto your parents in all things, for, this, is, well pleasing, in the Lord;

For, he that acteth unrighteously, shall get back what he had unrighteously done, and there is no respect of persons;

Praying, at the same time, for us also, - that, God, would open unto us a door for the word, so that we may speak the sacred secret of the Christ - for the sake of which also I am in bonds,

In wisdom, be walking towards them who are without, - the opportunity, buying out for yourselves,

For I bear him witness, that he hath great toil in behalf of you, and them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

How that, our glad-message, came not unto you, in word only, but also in power, and in Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, - even as ye know what manner of men we became unto you, for your sake;

For, they themselves, concerning us, do tell - what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from the idols - to be serving a living and true God,

For, yourselves, know, brethren, our entrance which was unto you - that it hath not proved void;

For, our exhortation, is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile,

For neither at any time were we found, using words of flattery, - even as ye know, nor a pretext for greed - God, is witness!