For this reason also, (A)since the day we heard of it, (B)we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the [a](C)knowledge of His will in all spiritual (D)wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will (E)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, [b](F)to please Him in all respects, (G)bearing fruit in every good work and [c]increasing in the [d]knowledge of God; 11 (H)strengthened with all power, according to [e]His glorious might, [f]for the attaining of all steadfastness and [g]patience; (I)joyously 12 giving thanks to (J)the Father, who has qualified us [h]to share in (K)the inheritance of the [i]saints in (L)Light.

The Incomparable Christ

13 [j]For He rescued us from the [k](M)domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of [l](N)His beloved Son, 14 (O)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 [m]He is the (P)image of the (Q)invisible God, the (R)firstborn of all creation. 16 For [n](S)by Him all things were created, (T)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (U)thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—(V)all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [o](W)is before all things, and in Him all things [p]hold together. 18 He is also (X)head of (Y)the body, the church; and He is (Z)the beginning, (AA)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [q]it was (AB)the Father’s good pleasure for all (AC)the [r]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to (AD)reconcile all things to Himself, having made (AE)peace through (AF)the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, (AG)whether things on earth or things in [s]heaven.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:9 Or real knowledge
  2. Colossians 1:10 Lit unto all pleasing
  3. Colossians 1:10 Or growing by the knowledge
  4. Colossians 1:10 Or real knowledge
  5. Colossians 1:11 Lit the might of His glory
  6. Colossians 1:11 Lit unto all
  7. Colossians 1:11 Or patience with joy
  8. Colossians 1:12 Lit unto the portion of
  9. Colossians 1:12 Or holy ones
  10. Colossians 1:13 Lit Who rescued
  11. Colossians 1:13 Lit authority
  12. Colossians 1:13 Lit the Son of His love
  13. Colossians 1:15 Lit Who is
  14. Colossians 1:16 Or in
  15. Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
  16. Colossians 1:17 Or endure
  17. Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
  18. Colossians 1:19 I.e. fullness of deity
  19. Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens

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

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image(R) of the invisible God,(S) the firstborn(T) over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created:(U) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;(V) all things have been created through him and for him.(W) 17 He is before all things,(X) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(Y) of the body, the church;(Z) he is the beginning and the firstborn(AA) from among the dead,(AB) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(AC) to have all his fullness(AD) dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile(AE) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,(AF) by making peace(AG) through his blood,(AH) shed on the cross.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
  2. Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us