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Paul's Prayer

15 I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people. 16 So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people.

19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20 (A) when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side[a] in heaven. 21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. 22 (B)(C) God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is the body of Christ and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 1.20 right side: The place of power and honor.
  2. 1.23 and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything: Or “which completely fills Christ and fully completes his work.”

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus(A) and your love for all God’s people,(B) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,(C) remembering you in my prayers.(D) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(E) may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom(F) and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(G) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(H) you, the riches(I) of his glorious inheritance(J) in his holy people,(K) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power(L) is the same as the mighty strength(M) 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead(N) and seated him at his right hand(O) in the heavenly realms,(P) 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,(Q) and every name(R) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.(S) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(T) and appointed him to be head(U) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(V) the fullness of him(W) who fills everything in every way.(X)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit

44 Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Books of the Prophets, and in the Psalms[a] had to happen.”

45 Then he helped them understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them:

The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. 47 They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, 48 you must tell everything that has happened. 49 (A) I will send you the one my Father has promised,[b] but you must stay in the city until you are given power from heaven.

Jesus Returns to Heaven

(Mark 16.19,20; Acts 1.9-11)

50 (B) Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them. 51 As he was doing this, he left and was taken up to heaven.[c] 52 After his disciples had worshiped him,[d] they returned to Jerusalem and were very happy. 53 They spent their time in the temple, praising God.

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Footnotes

  1. 24.44 Psalms: The Jewish Scriptures were made up of three parts: (1) the Law of Moses, (2) the Books of the Prophets, (3) and the Writings, which included the Psalms. Sometimes the Scriptures were just called the Law or the Law (of Moses) and the Books of the Prophets.
  2. 24.49 the one my Father has promised: Jesus means the Holy Spirit.
  3. 24.51 and was taken up to heaven: These words are not in some manuscripts.
  4. 24.52 After his disciples had worshiped him: These words are not in some manuscripts.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:(A) Everything must be fulfilled(B) that is written about me in the Law of Moses,(C) the Prophets(D) and the Psalms.”(E)

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer(F) and rise from the dead on the third day,(G) 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name(H) to all nations,(I) beginning at Jerusalem.(J) 48 You are witnesses(K) of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised;(L) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,(M) he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.(N) 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple,(O) praising God.

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