1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, ⁴  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 ⁵  in him.

1:18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn ⁶  from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. ⁷