13. He rescued us from the domain of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom He loves.
14. In Him we have redemption—the release of sins.
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16. For by Him all things were created— in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, whether thrones or angelic powers or rulers or authorities. All was created through Him and for Him.
17. He exists before everything, and in Him all holds together.
18. He is the head of the body, His community. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead— so that He might come to have first place in all things.
19. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him
20. and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through the blood of His cross— whether things on earth or things in heaven!
21. Once you were alienated from God and hostile in your attitude by wicked deeds.