Letters to the Churches

and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.

And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;

knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:

whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;

together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),

and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.