English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
15
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 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.
16
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
17
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
18
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
19
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
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and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
21
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
22
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
23
if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.