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15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. 18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.

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The Centrality of Jesus

15 The Son[a] is the image of the invisible God,
    the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created,
    things visible and invisible,
        whether they are kings,[b] lords, rulers, or powers.
All things have been created through him and for him.
17 He himself existed before anything else did,
    and he holds all things together.
18 He is also the head of the body,
    which is the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
    so that he himself might have first place in everything.
19 For God[c] was pleased to have
    all of his divine essence[d] inhabit him.
20 Through the Son,[e] God[f] also reconciled all things to himself,
    whether things on earth or things in heaven,
thereby making peace
    through the blood of his cross.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 1:15 Lit. He
  2. Colossians 1:16 Lit. thrones
  3. Colossians 1:19 Lit. he
  4. Colossians 1:19 Lit. all of the fullness
  5. Colossians 1:20 Lit. Through him
  6. Colossians 1:20 Lit. he