Study Desk

Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

for even in Thessaloni'ca you sent me help once and again.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints,

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel

And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.

For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell,

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints.

For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.

For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at La-odice'a, and for all who have not seen my face,

For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily,

For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.