⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope^(A) stored up for you in heaven^(B) and about which you have already heard in the true message^(C) of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit^(D) and growing throughout the whole world^(E)—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,^(F) our dear fellow servant,^[a] who is a faithful minister^(G) of Christ on our^[b] behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.^(H)

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

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(Z) of the invisible God,^(AA) the firstborn^(AB) over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(AC) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(AD) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(AE) 17} He is before all things,^(AF) and in him all things hold together.