⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life^(A) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.^(B)

²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(A) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(B) by making peace^(C) through his blood,^(D) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(E) in your minds^(F) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(G) you by Christ’s physical body^(H) through death to present you^(I) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(J)— ²³ if you continue^(K) in your faith, established^(L) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(M) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(N) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(O)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(P) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(Q) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(R) 25} I have become its servant^(S) by the commission God gave me^(T) to present to you the word of God^(U) in its fullness—

²² who has gone into heaven^(A) and is at God’s right hand^(B)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.^(C)