2 I want you to know how hard I am contending^(A) for you and for those at Laodicea,^(B) and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(C) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(D) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(E) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(F) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(G) and delight to see how disciplined^(H) you are and how firm^(I) your faith in Christ^(J) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(K) continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted^(L) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,^(M) and overflowing with thankfulness.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(N) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(O) rather than on Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(P) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(Q) over every power and authority.^(R)

²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(A) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(B) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(C) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(D) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(E) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(F) in Christ.

¹⁹ For God was pleased^(A) to have all his fullness^(B) dwell in him,

³⁴ For the one whom God has sent^(A) speaks the words of God, for God^[a] gives the Spirit^(B) without limit.

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed;^(A) blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”^(B)

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word,^(A) and the Word was with God,^(B) and the Word was God.^(C)

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,^(A) I am!”^(B)

³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(A)

³¹ Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,^{(B) 32} but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

³³ “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”^(C)

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.^(A) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?