1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, ⁶  whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.

1:17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together ⁷  in him.

1:18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn ⁸  from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. ⁹ 

1:19 For God ¹⁰  was pleased to have all his ¹¹  fullness dwell ¹²  in the Son ¹³ 

1:20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross – through him, ¹⁴  whether things on earth or things in heaven.

1:21 And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your ¹⁵  minds ¹⁶  as expressed through ¹⁷  your evil deeds, 1:22 but now he has reconciled you ¹⁸  by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him – 1:23 if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, ¹⁹  without shifting ²⁰  from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.