17. Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place.
18. He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life. He is the firstborn Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things.
19. For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God.
20. Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.
21. At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought.
22. But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.