16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him.
17. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
18. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19. For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell,
20. and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say—whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven.
21. And you, who were formerly alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22. in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight,
23. if you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not removed from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
24. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and fill up in my flesh that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
25. I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,