Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(A) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms^(B) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us^(C) in him before the creation of the world^(D) to be holy and blameless^(E) in his sight. In love^{(F) 5} he^[a] predestined^(G) us for adoption to sonship^[b](H) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(I) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(J) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(K) 7} In him we have redemption^(L) through his blood,^(M) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(N) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[c] made known to us the mystery^(O) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(P) in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(Q)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(R)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[d] having been predestined^(S) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(T) 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.^{(U) 13} And you also were included in Christ^(V) when you heard the message of truth,^(W) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(X) the promised Holy Spirit,^{(Y) 14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance^(Z) until the redemption^(AA) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.^(AB)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus^(AC) and your love for all God’s people,^{(AD) 16} I have not stopped giving thanks for you,^(AE) remembering you in my prayers.^{(AF) 17} I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^(AG) may give you the Spirit^[e] of wisdom^(AH) and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened^(AI) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called^(AJ) you, the riches^(AK) of his glorious inheritance^(AL) in his holy people,^{(AM) 19} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power^(AN) is the same as the mighty strength^{(AO) 20} he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead^(AP) and seated him at his right hand^(AQ) in the heavenly realms,^{(AR) 21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,^(AS) and every name^(AT) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.^{(AU) 22} And God placed all things under his feet^(AV) and appointed him to be head^(AW) over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body,^(AX) the fullness of him^(AY) who fills everything in every way.^(AZ)

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[a]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(A) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(B) 11} So Christ himself gave^(C) the apostles,^(D) the prophets,^(E) the evangelists,^(F) the pastors and teachers,^{(G) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(H) may be built up^{(I) 13} until we all reach unity^(J) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(K) and become mature,^(L) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(M)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(N) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(O) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(P) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(Q) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(R) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(S) and builds itself up^(T) in love,^(U) as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(V) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(W) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(X) and separated from the life of God^(Y) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(Z) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(AA) they have given themselves over^(AB) to sensuality^(AC) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(AD) your old self,^(AE) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(AF) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(AG) 24} and to put on^(AH) the new self,^(AI) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(AJ)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(AK) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(AL) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[b]:^(AM) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(AN) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(AO) doing something useful with their own hands,^(AP) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(AQ)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(AR) but only what is helpful for building others up^(AS) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(AT) with whom you were sealed^(AU) for the day of redemption.^{(AV) 31} Get rid of^(AW) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(AX) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(AY) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(AZ) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(BA) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(BB) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(BC) and gave himself up for us^(BD) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(BE)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(BF) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(BG) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(BH) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(BI) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(BJ)—has any inheritance^(BK) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[c](BL) 6} Let no one deceive you^(BM) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(BN) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(BO) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(BP) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(BQ) 9} (for the fruit^(BR) of the light consists in all goodness,^(BS) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(BT) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(BU) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(BV) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(BZ)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(CA) because the days are evil.^{(CB) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(CC) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(CD) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(CE) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(CF) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(CG) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(CH)

²¹ Submit to one another^(CI) out of reverence for Christ.