He is the image of the invisible God, 

the firstborn of all creation. 

 

For by him all things were created,

in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible,

whether thrones or dominions

or rulers or authorities —

all things were created

through him and for him. 

 

And he is before all things, 

and in him all things hold together. 

And he is the head of

the body, the church. 

He is he beginning,

the firstborn from the dead,

that in everything

he might be

preeminent. 

 

For in him all the fullness of God

was pleased to dwell,

and through him to reconcile

to himself all things,

whether on the earth or in heaven,

making peace by the blood of his cross.