1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B)

To God’s holy people^(C) in Ephesus,^[a](D) the faithful^(E) in Christ Jesus:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(F)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(G) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms^(H) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us^(I) in him before the creation of the world^(J) to be holy and blameless^(K) in his sight. In love^{(L) 5} he^[b] predestined^(M) us for adoption to sonship^[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(O) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(Q) 7} In him we have redemption^(R) through his blood,^(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(T) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery^(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(V) in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(X)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined^(Y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(Z) of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.^{(AA) 13} And you also were included in Christ^(AB) when you heard the message of truth,^(AC) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(AD) the promised Holy Spirit,^(AE)

³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[a](A)

⁴ Fathers,^[b] do not exasperate your children;^(B) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(C)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(D) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(E) just as you would obey Christ.^{(F) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(G) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(H) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(I) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(J) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(K) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(L) and in his mighty power.^{(M) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(N) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(O) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(P) against the powers^(Q) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(R) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(S) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(T) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(U) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(V) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(W) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(X) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(Y) and the sword of the Spirit,^(Z) which is the word of God.^(AA)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(AB) on all occasions^(AC) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(AD) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(AE) for all the Lord’s people.