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The Firstborn of All Creation

15 [a]Who is the (A)image of the (B)invisible God, the (C)firstborn of all creation.
16 For [b](D)in Him all things were created, (E)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (F)thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—(G)all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17 And He [c](H)is before all things,
And in Him all things [d]hold together.
18 And He is the (I)head of (J)the body, the church;
Who is (K)the beginning, (L)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
19 For in Him [e]all (M)the fullness of God (N)was pleased to dwell,
20 And through Him to (O)reconcile all things to Himself, having made (P)peace through (Q)the blood of His cross—through Him—(R)whether things on earth or things in [f]heaven.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:15 vv 15-20 are formatted to show the chiastic structure of the poem
  2. Colossians 1:16 Or by
  3. Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
  4. Colossians 1:17 Or endure
  5. Colossians 1:19 Or God was pleased for all the fullness to dwell
  6. Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens

15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things [a]consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; [b]that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 [c]For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; 20 and through him to reconcile all things [d]unto [e]himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:17 That is, hold together.
  2. Colossians 1:18 Or, that among all he might have etc.
  3. Colossians 1:19 Or, For the whole fulness of God was pleased to dwell in him
  4. Colossians 1:20 Or, into him
  5. Colossians 1:20 Or, him