⁹ 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.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(AI) in your minds^(AJ) because of^[c] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(AK) you by Christ’s physical body^(AL) through death to present you^(AM) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(AN)— ²³ if you continue^(AO) in your faith, established^(AP) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(AQ) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AR) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AS)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(AT) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(AU) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(AV) 25} I have become its servant^(AW) by the commission God gave me^(AX) to present to you the word of God^(AY) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(AZ) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(BA) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(BB) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(BC) the hope of glory.