17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he may have the pre-eminence.
19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
20. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they are things on earth, or things in heaven.
21. And you, that were formerly alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,
22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable 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 hath been 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 fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25. Of which I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: