12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you  * 1:12 Other mss read us to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.  * 1:12 Ps 36:9; Jn 12:4613 He has rescued  * 1:13 Mt 27:43 us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom  * 1:13 Mt 3:2; Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25 of the Son  * 1:13 Jn 5:19; Heb 1:2 he loves.  * 1:13 Mt 3:17; Jn 3:16; 15:10; 17:26; 1Jn 4:1614 In him we have redemption,  * 1:14 Other mss add through his blood the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God,  * 1:15 Php 2:6

the firstborn over all creation.  * 1:15 Jn 1:3; Rv 3:14

16 For everything was created by him,  * 1:16 Gn 1:1; Mk 13:19

in heaven and on earth,

the visible and the invisible,

whether thrones or dominions

or rulers or authorities —

all things have been created through him and for him.  * 1:16 Jn 1:3; Rm 11:36; 1Co 8:6; Eph 1:10,21

17 He is before all things,  * 1:17 Jn 1:1–2; 8:58; Heb 1:2–3

and by him all things  * 1:17 Ps 104:24 hold together.