1. Greetings from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because that is what God wanted. Greetings also from Timothy, our brother in Christ.
2. To the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3. In our prayers we always thank God for you. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. We thank him because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all of God’s people.
5. Your faith and love continue because you know what is waiting for you in heaven—the hope you have had since you first heard the true message, the Good News
6. that was told to you. Throughout the world, this Good News is bringing blessings and is spreading. And that’s what has been happening among you since the first time you heard it and understood the truth about God’s grace.
7. You heard it from Epaphras, our dear friend and co-worker. He is a faithful servant of Christ for us.
8. He also told us about the love you have from the Spirit.
9. Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray: that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need;
10. that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God;
11. that God will strengthen you with his own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come. Then you will be happy