²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(A) in your minds^(B) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(C) you by Christ’s physical body^(D) through death to present you^(E) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(F)— ²³ if you continue^(G) in your faith, established^(H) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(I) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(J) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(K)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice^(L) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,^(M) for the sake of his body, which is the church.^{(N) 25} I have become its servant^(O) by the commission God gave me^(P) to present to you the word of God^(Q) in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery^(R) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known^(S) among the Gentiles the glorious riches^(T) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,^(U) the hope of glory.

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing^(V) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,^(W) so that we may present everyone fully mature^(X) in Christ.

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,^(A) to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior^(B) attractive.^(C)

¹¹ For the grace^(D) of God has appeared^(E) that offers salvation to all people.^{(F) 12} It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,^(G) and to live self-controlled,^(H) upright and godly lives^(I) in this present age,