Colossians 1

The Lord Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, sent to save all those who belong to you, father. He is the image of you, father, the firstborn of all creation. He is the head of his body, the church.

He is the beginning, the first born 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 earth or in heaven, making peace by his blood through the cross.

I was once alienated and hostile in my mind; doing evil deeds, but now I am reconciled in the body of his flesh by his death, in order that he can present me holy and blameless and above reproach before you, my father.

I continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel, the word of God, that you, father, have chosen to make known among the gentiles. That is the answer to the mystery which is Christ in me the hope of glory.