³ All things ·were made [were created; came to be] ·by [through] him, and nothing ·was made [came to be] without him [Prov. 8:22–31].

¹⁰ ·The Word [^LHe] was in the world, and the world ·was made [was created; came into being] ·by [through] him, but the world did not ·know [recognize] him.

⁹ And God gave me the work of ·telling [making plain; enlightening] all people about the ·plan for [administration of; ^Cthe same word translated “work” in v. 2] his ·secret [mystery], which has been hidden ·in [or by] him ·since the beginning of time [^Lfrom the ages]. He is the One who created everything.

¹⁶ ·Through his power [^LIn him; or By him] all things were created [John 1:3; Heb. 1:2]—things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, all ·powers [or heavenly authorities; ^Lthrones], ·authorities [dominions; kingdoms], ·lords [rulers], and ·rulers [authorities; ^Cthese four may refer to angelic hierarchies, or to earthly and heavenly rulers]. All things were created through Christ and for Christ.

² But now in these last days God has spoken to us through ·his Son [or a son; 1:3]. God has ·chosen [appointed] his Son to ·own [be heir/inheritor of] all things, and through him he made the ·world [universe; ages; ^Ccomprising both space and time; John 1:3].