21 At one time you were alienated from God and hostile in your minds because of your evil works. But now *God has reconciled you to himself 22 through the death of Christ in his physical body, *in order to bring you into his own presence as holy, unblemished, and above reproach, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, without shifting away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been preached in all creation under heaven, and of this gospel I, Paul, have become a servant.