1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) and Timothy^(C) our brother,

² To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters^[a] in Christ:

Grace^(D) and peace to you from God our Father.^[b](E)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We always thank God,^(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(A) and growing throughout the whole world^(B)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras,^(C) our dear fellow servant,^[a] who is a faithful minister^(D) of Christ on our^[b] behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(E)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(F) we have not stopped praying for you.^(G) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(H) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[c](I) 10} so that you may live a life worthy^(J) of the Lord and please him^(K) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^{(L) 11} being strengthened with all power^(M) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^(N)