He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were
created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things
hold together. He is the head of the 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 the blood
of his cross (Col. 1:15-20).