⁵ Put to death,^(A) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(B) sexual immorality,^(C) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(D) which is idolatry.^{(E) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(F) is coming.^{[a] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(G) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(H) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(I) and filthy language from your lips.^{(J) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(K) since you have taken off your old self^(L) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(M) which is being renewed^(N) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(O) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(P) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(Q) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(R) but Christ is all,^(S) and is in all.

³ At one time^(A) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image^(A) of the invisible God,^(B) the firstborn^(C) over all creation. ¹⁶ For 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) 17} He is before all things,^(G) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And 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. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(L) to have all his fullness^(M) dwell in him, ²⁰ and 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.