ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE LAODICEANS.
1He salutes the brethren;
3exhorts them to persevere in good works,
4and not to be moved by vain speaking.
6Rejoices in his bonds,
10desires them to live in the fear of the Lord.
PAUL an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, to the brethren which are at Laodicea.
2Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
3I thank Christ in every prayer of mine, that you may continue and persevere in good works, looking for that which is promised in the day of judgment.
4Let not the vain speeches of any trouble you, who pervert the truth, that they may draw you aside from the truth of the Gospel which I have preached.
5And now may God grant, that my converts may attain to a perfect knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, be beneficent, and doing good works which accompany salvation.
6And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation for ever, which shall be through your prayer, and the supply of the Holy Spirit.
8Whether I live or die, to live shall be a life to Christ, to die will be joy.
9And our Lord will grant us his mercy, that you may have the same love, and be like-minded.
10Wherefore, my beloved, as you have heard of the coming of the Lord, so think and act in fear, and it shall be to you life eternal;
11For it is God, who works in you:
12And do all things without sin.
13And what is best, my beloved rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and avoid all filthy lucre.
14Let all your requests be made known to God, and be steady in the doctrine of Christ.
15And whatsoever things are sound and true, and of good report, and chaste, and just, and lovely, these things do.
16Those things which you have heard, and received, think on these things, and peace shall be with you.
17All the saints salute you.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
19Cause this Epistle to be read to the Colossians, and the Epistle of the Colossians to be read among you.