Letters to the Churches

and above all these things, have love, which is a bond of the perfection,

and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye were called in one body, and become thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to the Lord;

and all, whatever ye may do in word or in work, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus--giving thanks to the God and Father, through him.

The wives! be subject to your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord;

the husbands! love your wives, and be not bitter with them;

the children! obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord;

the fathers! vex not your children, lest they be discouraged.

The servants! obey in all things those who are masters according to the flesh, not in eye-service as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God;

and all, whatever ye may do--out of soul work--as to the Lord, and not to men,

having known that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance--for the Lord Christ ye serve;

and he who is doing unrighteously shall receive what he did unrighteously, and there is no acceptance of persons.

The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

In the prayer continue ye, watching in it in thanksgiving;

praying at the same time also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of the Christ, because of which also I have been bound,

that I may manifest it, as it behoveth me to speak;

in wisdom walk ye toward those without, the time forestalling;

your word always in grace--with salt being seasoned--to know how it behoveth you to answer each one.

All the things concerning me make known to you shall Tychicus--the beloved brother, and faithful ministrant, and fellow-servant in the Lord--

whom I did send unto you for this very thing, that he might know the things concerning you, and might comfort your hearts,

with Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother, who is of you; all things to you shall they make known that are here.

Salute you doth Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, and Marcus, the nephew of Barnabas, (concerning whom ye did receive commands--if he may come unto you receive him,)

and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are fellow-workers for the reign of God who did become a comfort to me.

Salute you doth Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God,

for I do testify to him, that he hath much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.