12. I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light.
13. God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son,
14. who forgives our sins and sets us free.
15. Christ is exactly like God,who cannot be seen.He is the firstborn Son,superior to all creation.
16. Everything was created by him,everything in heavenand on earth,everything seen and unseen,including all forcesand powers,and all rulersand authorities.All things were createdby God's Son,and everything was madefor him.
17. God's Son was before all else,and by him everythingis held together.
18. He is the head of his body,which is the church.He is the very beginning,the first to be raisedfrom death,so that he would beabove all others.
19. God himself was pleasedto live fully in his Son.
20. And God was pleasedfor him to make peaceby sacrificing his bloodon the cross,so that all beings in heavenand on earthwould be brought back to God.