²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead^(A) and seated him at his right hand^(B) in the heavenly realms,^(C)

¹¹ according to his eternal purpose^(A) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

⁷ But to each one of us^(A) grace^(B) has been given^(C) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(F) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^(G)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:^(A)

¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(A) and brought us into the kingdom^(B) of the Son he loves,^{(C) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(D) the forgiveness of sins.^(E)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

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

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(W) in your minds^(X) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(Y) you by Christ’s physical body^(Z) through death to present you^(AA) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(AB)—

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(A) of the Deity lives in bodily form,

¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(A) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(B) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(C) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(D) 16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(E) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(F) and with the trumpet call of God,^(G) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(H) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(I) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(J) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(K) forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another^(L) with these words.

⁵ For there is one God^(A) and one mediator^(B) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(C) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(D) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(E) at the proper time.^(F)

¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery^(A) from which true godliness^(B) springs is great: