¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(A) from the empty way of life^(B) handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(C) of Christ, a lamb^(D) without blemish or defect.^{(E) 20} He was chosen before the creation of the world,^(F) but was revealed in these last times^(G) for your sake.

¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(A) should be made known^(B) to the rulers and authorities^(C) in the heavenly realms,^(D)

¹¹ according to his eternal purpose^(A) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world,^(A) he said:

⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”^(E)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”^(F) He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy^(G) through the sacrifice of the body^(H) of Jesus Christ once for all.^(I)

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) 2} He was with God in the beginning.^{(D) 3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.^(E)

⁶ yet for us there is but one God,^(A) the Father,^(B) from whom all things came^(C) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,^(D) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came^(E) and through whom we live.

¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(A) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(B) all things have been created through him and for him.^(C)

¹⁷ He is before all things,^(A) and in him all things hold together.