A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(A) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(B) he may strengthen you with power^(C) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(D) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(E) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(F) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(G) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(H) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(I)—that you may be filled^(J) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(K)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(L) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(M) or imagine, according to his power^(N) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(O)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(P) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(Q) of the calling^(R) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(S) in love.^{(T) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(U) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(V) 4} There is one body^(W) and one Spirit,^(X) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(Y); ⁵ one Lord,^(Z) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(AA) who is over all and through all and in all.^(AB)

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(A) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(B) and spoke the word of God^(C) boldly.^(D)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^{(E) 33} With great power the apostles continued to testify^(F) to the resurrection^(G) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(H) was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(I) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(J) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(K)