17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18. And he is the head of the body, the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell
20. and by him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross {Gr. stauros – stake}, whether they are the things in the earth or the things in the heavens.
21. And you, that were in another time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled you
22. in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight
23. if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard and which is preached to every creature which is under heaven, of which I Paul am made a minister,
24. who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fulfill in my flesh that which is lacking of the tribulations of the Christ for his body’s sake, which is the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones},