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)

The Coming of the Kingdom of God^(A)

²⁰ Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,^(B) Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, ²¹ nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’^(C) because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”^[a]

³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father,^(A) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[a](B) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.^(C)

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.^(D) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”^(E)

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him.^(F) They offered him wine vinegar^{(G) 37} and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,^(H) save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.^(I)

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”^(J)

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”^(K)

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[b]”^(L)

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”^(M)