² but in these last days^(A) he has spoken to us by his Son,^(B) whom he appointed heir^(C) of all things, and through whom^(D) also he made the universe.^{(E) 3} The Son is the radiance of God’s glory^(F) and the exact representation of his being,^(G) sustaining all things^(H) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,^(I) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.^{(J) 4} So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.^(K)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We always thank God,^(A) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love^(B) you have for all God’s people^(C)— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope^(D) stored up for you in heaven^(E) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(F) of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(G) and growing throughout the whole world^(H)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras,^(I) our dear fellow servant,^[a] who is a faithful minister^(J) of Christ on our^[b] behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(K)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you,^(L) we have not stopped praying for you.^(M) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will^(N) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[c](O) 10} so that you may live a life worthy^(P) of the Lord and please him^(Q) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,^{(R) 11} being strengthened with all power^(S) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,^{(T) 12} and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(U) who has qualified you^[d] to share in the inheritance^(V) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^{(W) 13} For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(X) and brought us into the kingdom^(Y) of the Son he loves,^{(Z) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(AA) the forgiveness of sins.^(AB)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(AC) of the invisible God,^(AD) the firstborn^(AE) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(AF) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(AG) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(AH) 17} He is before all things,^(AI) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(AJ) of the body, the church;^(AK) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(AL) from among the dead,^(AM) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(AN) to have all his fullness^(AO) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(AP) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(AQ) by making peace^(AR) through his blood,^(AS) shed on the cross.