Colossians 1:15-23

New International Version

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵The Son is the image^(A) of the invisible God,^(B) the firstborn^(C) over all creation. ¹⁶For in him all things were created:^(D) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(E) all things have been created through him and for him.^(F) ¹⁷He is before all things,^(G) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head^(H) of the body, the church;^(I) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(J) from among the dead,^(K) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased^(L) to have all his fullness^(M) dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile^(N) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(O) by making peace^(P) through his blood,^(Q) shed on the cross.

²¹Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(R) in your minds^(S) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²²But now he has reconciled^(T) you by Christ’s physical body^(U) through death to present you^(V) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(W)— ²³if you continue^(X) in your faith, established^(Y) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(Z) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AA) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AB)

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Footnotes

Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by

Luke 10:38-42

New International Version

At the Home of Martha and Mary

³⁸As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha^(A) opened her home to him. ³⁹She had a sister called Mary,^(B) who sat at the Lord’s feet^(C) listening to what he said. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care^(D) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried^(E) and upset about many things, ⁴²but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a]^(F) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”