21 And you, Colossians, that were at one time alienated, [strangers,] enemies in your minds, shown by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled;

22 Dying on the cross in his own body, that he might present you to the Father, holy and unblamable, and unreprovable ;

23 If ye continue grounded, settled in the faith, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached for every creature under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister.

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and carry on the grand system of the gospel in my flesh, [by the persecutions I undergo,] that his visible body, which is the church, may remain with us:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation [the work] of God, which is given to me for you, that I may fully preach the word of God.

26 Even the making known that mystery of his will, [salvation by Christ,] which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but is now made manifest to those who believe:

27 His saints, to whom God would make known that mystery, the merciful calling in of the Gentiles; which is to you Colossians and other heathens, Christ in you, the hope of glory :

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

CHAP. II.

1 FOR I would ye knew what great conflict [anxiety] I have for you and for them at Laodicea, [a city in Phrygia,] and for as many as have not seen

me;

2 That with assurance of my concern for them, their hearts might be comforted, being joined together in love, and in the fullest understanding and acknowledgment of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I am not with you, my thoughts and prayers are, and in my spirit I rejoice at your order, [regularity of conduct,] and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him [so live];

7 Rooted and built up in him, established in the faith, as ye have been taught; so continue, and with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you [rob, cheat you of your hopes], through philosophy [human wisdom] and vain deceit, and by the tradition of men, after the imperfect learning of this world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him [Jesus Christ] dwelleth all the fulness

[perfection] of the godhead bodily, ["God manifested in the flesh," 1 Tim. iii. 16.]

10 And ye are by him furnished with all things necessary for salvation; by him [Jesus] who is the head of all principality and power [1 Peter iii. 22].

11 In whom also ye are circumcised [renewed, born again] with the circumcision made without hands, the putting off by faith the sins of the flesh;

12 Buried, as regards the old man, [your former sinful being,] with Christ, in baptism; wherein also ye are risen again with him, through faith in the power of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins, having no covenant with God, [heathens,] hath he quickened, [raised from your state of ignorance,] together with Christ, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the recorded debt of sin that was against [contrary to] us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having conquered Satan, the prince of this world, he, by his cross, openly shewed his triumph.

16 Ye are complete in Christ: let no man therefore judge you in respect of the non-observance of legal ceremonies': meat, drink, a holy-day, new moons, or Sabbath-days [the Jewish Sabbath].

17 These things were but a shadow of things to come [types], but the body [fulfilment] is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you by saying it is presumption to pray directly to God, and persuading you to use the agency [mediation] of angels, intruding into [speaking of] those things of which he hath re

ceived no revelation, vainly puffed up by human

reason;

19 And not looking to God, as the head from which all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, increaseth and dependeth.

20 Wherefore if your old nature be dead [buried] with Christ, purified from the imperfections of this world by faith, why are ye still subject to the ordinances of the world, as though ye belonged thereto,

21 (Leave these things entirely, touch them not; taste not; handle not:

22 For all these things [meats, drinks, ceremonies of the law] are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23 Which things, [viz. the observance of outward ceremonies] have indeed a show of wisdom, in as far as they profess a wish to serve God; and humility, not sparing our own trouble; but are of no power in assisting us in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts.

CHAP. III.

1 IF then through Christ ye be risen from your heathen state, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead to this world, and your life is hid [laid up, preserved in heaven] with Christ in God, 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then with him in glory.

shall ye

also appear

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience [the heathen world]: 7 In the which ye also walked sometimes, when ye lived in them.

8 But, now that ye are Christians, put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man [your heathen nature] with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, even Jesus Christ, renewed in knowledge after his image.

11 In which is no distinction of persons, neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free: but Christ is all in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, [as the chosen members of Christ's church,] holy and beloved, bowels of mercies [the tenderest compassion], kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things, put on [cultivate, clothe yourselves with] charity, which is the bond [proof, sure sign] of your being chosen.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which holy happiness ye are called, as one church in Christ; and be ye thankful.