⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs,^(A) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,^(B) who is God over all,^(C) forever praised!^[a](D) Amen.

¹⁶ For in him all things were created:^(A) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;^(B) all things have been created through him and for him.^{(C) 17} He is before all things,^(D) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(E) of the body, the church;^(F) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(G) from among the dead,^(H) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(I) to have all his fullness^(J) dwell in him,

²⁵ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie,^(A) and worshiped and served created things^(B) rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.^(C) Amen.^(D)

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word,^(A) and the Word was with God,^(B) and the Word was God.^{(C) 2} He was with God in the beginning.^{(D) 3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.^(E)

²⁰ We know also that the Son of God has come^(A) and has given us understanding,^(B) so that we may know him who is true.^(C) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.^(D)

³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(A)

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

³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life^[a](A) was a descendant of David,^(B)