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Затова аз, Павел, затворник на Исуса Христа заради вас езичниците, понеже сте чули за нареденото от Божията благодат, която ми е дадена заради вас,

че по откровение ми стана известна тайната, (както и по-преди вкратце ви писах,

от което, като прочитате, може да разберете моето проумяване в Христовата тайна)

която в други поколения не биде известна на човешкия род, както сега чрез Духа се откри на Неговите свети апостоли и пророци,

а именно, че езичниците са сънаследници, като съставляват едно тяло, и са съпричасници на [Неговото] обещание в Христа Исуса чрез благовестието,

на което станах служител според Божията благодат, На мене, най-нищожния от всички светии, се даде тая благодат, да благовестя между езичниците неизследимото Христово богатство;

и да осветлявам всичките в наредбата относно тайната, която от векове е била скрита у Бога, създателя на всичко,

10 тъй щото на небесните началства и власти да стане позната сега чрез църквата многообразната премъдрост на Бога,

11 според превечното намерение, което Той изработи в Христа Исуса нашия Господ;

12 в Когото имаме своето дръзновение и достъп с увереност чрез вяра в Него;

13 за която причина ви моля да се не обезсърчавате от моите изпитни за вас, тъй като те са за вас слава, 14 затова, прекланям коленете си пред Отца [на нашия Господ Исус Христос],

15 от Когото носи името всеки род на небесата и на земята,

16 да ви даде според богатствата на славата Си, да се утвърдите здраво чрез Неговия Дух във вътрешния човек,

17 чрез вяра да се всели Христос във вашите сърца, тъй че закоренени и основани в любовта

18 да бъдете силни, да разберете заедно с всичките светии, що е широчината и дължината, височината и дълбочината,

19 и да повикате Христовата любов, която никое знание не може да обгърне, за да се изпълните в цялата Божия пълнота.

20 А на Този, Който, според действуващата в нас сила, може да направи несравнено повече, отколкото искаме или мислим,

21 на Него да бъде слава в църквата и в Христа Исуса във всичките родове от века до века. Амин.

Paul's Work for the Gentiles

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles, pray to God. Surely you have heard that God in his grace has given me this work to do for your good. God revealed his secret plan and made it known to me. (I have written briefly about this, (A)and if you will read what I have written, you can learn about my understanding of the secret of Christ.) In past times human beings were not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. The secret is that by means of the gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God's blessings; they are members of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus.

I was made a servant of the gospel by God's special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. I am less than the least of all God's people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms. 11 God did this according to his eternal purpose, which he achieved through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In union with Christ and through our faith in him we have the boldness to go into God's presence with all confidence. 13 I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.

The Love of Christ

14 For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, 17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, 18 (B)so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. 19 Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

20 To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: 21 to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(B) for you, that is, the mystery(C) made known to me by revelation,(D) as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(E) into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.(F) This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(I)

I became a servant of this gospel(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me(K) through the working of his power.(L) Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(N) the boundless riches of Christ,(O) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(P) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(Q) should be made known(R) to the rulers and authorities(S) in the heavenly realms,(T) 11 according to his eternal purpose(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(V) with freedom and confidence.(W) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel(X) 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(Y) he may strengthen you with power(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,(AA) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(AC) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(AE) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(AF)—that you may be filled(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(AH)

20 Now to him who is able(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(AJ) or imagine, according to his power(AK) 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.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).