⁵ The light shines in the darkness,^(A) and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.^(B)

⁸ For you were once^(A) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^(B)

¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father,^(A) who has qualified you^[a] to share in the inheritance^(B) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.^{(C) 13} For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness^(D) and brought us into the kingdom^(E) of the Son he loves,^{(F) 14} in whom we have redemption,^(G) the forgiveness of sins.^(H)

The Supremacy of the Son of God

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

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(Z) in your minds^(AA) because of^[b] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(AB) you by Christ’s physical body^(AC) through death to present you^(AD) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(AE)— ²³ if you continue^(AF) in your faith, established^(AG) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(AH) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(AI) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(AJ)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(AK) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(AL) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(AM) 25} I have become its servant^(AN) by the commission God gave me^(AO) to present to you the word of God^(AP) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(AQ) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(AR) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(AS) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(AT) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(AU) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(AV) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(AW) in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously^(AX) contend^(AY) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.^(AZ)

⁵ You are all children of the light^(A) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.