1 ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 1 ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 1 ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. 1 ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 1 ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. 1 ²⁹ For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.

2 ¹ For I want you to know how greatly I strive for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face, 2 ² that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, of Christ, 2 ³ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 2 ⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with beguiling speech. 2 ⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.