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Greeting

Paul,(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:(B)

To the faithful saints(C) in Christ Jesus[a] at Ephesus.[b](D)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Rich Blessings

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.(E) For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.[c](F) He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace(G) that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.(H)

In him we have redemption(I) through his blood, the forgiveness(J) of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.[d] He made known to us the mystery of his will,(K) according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ(L) 10 as a plan for the right time[e] – to bring everything together in Christ,(M) both things in heaven and things on earth(N) in him.(O)

11 In him we have also received an inheritance,[f] because we were predestined(P) according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope(Q) in Christ might bring praise to his glory.(R)

13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit(S) when you heard the word of truth,(T) the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment(U) of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[g] would give you the Spirit[h](V) of wisdom and revelation(W) in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope(X) of his calling,(Y) what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power(Z) towards us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

God’s Power in Christ

20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand(AA) in the heavens(AB) –  21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,[i](AC) not only in this age but also in the one to come.(AD) 22 And he subjected everything under his feet[j](AE) and appointed him[k] as head(AF) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(AG) the fullness(AH) of the one who fills all things(AI) in every way.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Or to the saints, the believers in Christ Jesus
  2. 1:1 Other mss omit at Ephesus
  3. 1:4 Or in his sight. In love
  4. 1:8 Or on us. With all wisdom and understanding
  5. 1:10 Or the fulfilment of times
  6. 1:11 Or In him we are also an inheritance,
  7. 1:17 Or the Father of glory
  8. 1:17 Or a spirit
  9. 1:21 Lit every name named
  10. 1:22 Ps 8:6
  11. 1:22 Lit gave him

Greeting

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Redemption in Christ

(A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as (B)He chose us in Him (C)before the foundation of the world, that we should (D)be holy and without blame before Him in love, (E)having predestined us to (F)adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, (G)according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, (H)by which He [a]made us accepted in (I)the Beloved.

(J)In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to (K)the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [b]prudence, (L)having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure (M)which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of (N)the fullness of the times (O)He might gather together in one (P)all things in Christ, [c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 (Q)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to (R)the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 (S)that we (T)who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard (U)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, (V)you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 (W)who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance (X)until the redemption of (Y)the purchased possession, (Z)to the praise of His glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Therefore I also, (AA)after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 (AB)do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that (AC)the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, (AD)may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 (AE)the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is (AF)the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, (AG)according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when (AH)He raised Him from the dead and (AI)seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 (AJ)far above all (AK)principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And (AL)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him (AM)to be head over all things to the church, 23 (AN)which is His body, (AO)the fullness of Him (AP)who fills all in all.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:6 Lit. bestowed grace (favor) upon us
  2. Ephesians 1:8 understanding
  3. Ephesians 1:10 NU, M omit both
  4. Ephesians 1:14 NU which
  5. Ephesians 1:14 down payment, earnest
  6. Ephesians 1:18 NU, M hearts
  7. Ephesians 1:21 rule
  8. Ephesians 1:21 authority
  9. Ephesians 1:21 power

Hälsning

(A) Från Paulus, genom Guds vilja Kristi Jesu apostel. Till de heliga som bor i Efesos och tror på Kristus Jesus. Nåd vare med er och frid från Gud vår Far och Herren Jesus Kristus.

Utvalda i Kristus

(B) Välsignad är vår Herre Jesu Kristi Gud och Far, som i Kristus har välsignat oss med all andlig välsignelse i himlen! (C) Han har utvalt oss i honom före världens skapelse till att vara heliga och fläckfria inför honom. (D) I kärlek har han förutbestämt oss till barnaskap hos honom genom Jesus Kristus, efter sin goda viljas beslut,[a] (E) till ära och pris för den nåd som han har skänkt oss i den Älskade. (F) I honom är vi friköpta genom hans blod och har förlåtelse för våra synder, tack vare den rika nåd (G) som han lät flöda över oss med all vishet och insikt. (H) Han har låtit oss få veta sin viljas hemlighet enligt det beslut han har fattat i Kristus,[b] 10 (I) den plan som skulle genomföras när tiden var inne: att sammanfatta allt i himlen och på jorden i Kristus.

11 (J) I honom har vi också fått vårt arv, förutbestämda till det av honom som utför allt efter sin viljas beslut, 12 för att vi som först har satt vårt hopp till Kristus ska bli till hans ära och pris. 13 I honom har också ni, när ni hörde sanningens ord, evangeliet om er frälsning, i honom har också ni, när ni kom till tro, fått den utlovade helige Ande som ett sigill. 14 (K) Anden är ett förskott som garanterar vårt arv, att hans eget folk ska befrias, till hans ära och pris.

Apostelns förbön

15 (L) Därför, när jag nu har hört om er tro på Herren Jesus och er kärlek till alla de heliga, 16 (M) kan jag inte sluta tacka Gud för er när jag nämner er i mina böner. 17 Jag ber att vår Herre Jesu Kristi Gud, härlighetens Far, ska ge er vishetens och uppenbarelsens Ande så att ni får en rätt kunskap om honom. 18 (N) Jag ber att era hjärtans ögon ska få ljus så att ni förstår vilket hopp han har kallat er till, hur rikt och härligt hans arv är bland de heliga 19 (O) och hur oerhört stor hans makt är i oss som tror, därför att hans väldiga kraft har varit verksam.

Från död till liv

20 (P) Den kraften lät han verka i Kristus när han uppväckte honom från de döda och satte honom på sin högra sida i himlen, 21 (Q) högt över alla härskare, makter, krafter och herradömen och alla namn som kan nämnas, inte bara i denna tidsålder utan också i den kommande. 22 (R) Allt lade han under hans fötter, och honom som är huvud över allting gav han till församlingen[c] 23 (S) som är hans kropp, fullheten av honom som uppfyller allt i alla.

Footnotes

  1. 1:4f inför honom. I kärlek har han   Annan översättning: "inför honom i kärlek. Han har".
  2. 1:8f över oss med all vishet och insikt. Han har   Annan översättning: "över oss. Med all vishet och insikt har han".
  3. 1:22 Ps 8:7.

Dear Christian friends at Ephesus, ever loyal to the Lord: This is Paul writing to you, chosen by God to be Jesus Christ’s messenger. May his blessings and peace be yours, sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ.

Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to!

Now all praise to God for his wonderful kindness to us and his favor that he has poured out upon us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. So overflowing is his kindness toward us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved; and he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace—for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times.

God has told us his secret reason for sending Christ, a plan he decided on in mercy long ago; 10 and this was his purpose: that when the time is ripe he will gather us all together from wherever we are—in heaven or on earth—to be with him in Christ forever. 11 Moreover, because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of God’s sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. 12 God’s purpose in this was that we should praise God and give glory to him for doing these mighty things for us, who were the first to trust in Christ.

13 And because of what Christ did, all you others too, who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging to Christ by the Holy Spirit, who long ago had been promised to all of us Christians. 14 His presence within us is God’s guarantee that he really will give us all that he promised; and the Spirit’s seal upon us means that God has already purchased us and that he guarantees to bring us to himself. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.

15 That is why, ever since I heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and of the love you have for Christians everywhere, 16-17 I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for you. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! 19 I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. It is that same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven, 21 far, far above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader. Yes, his honor is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come. 22 And God has put all things under his feet and made him the supreme Head of the Church— 23 which is his body, filled with himself, the Author and Giver of everything everywhere.

Paul says ‘Hello’

This letter is from me, Paul. God chose me to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to you, God's own people who live in Ephesus. You are those who continue to believe in Christ Jesus, and so you belong to him.

I pray that God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to help you. I pray that they will give you peace in your minds.

God blesses us as Christians

We praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us in very many ways. Because we belong to Christ, we enjoy all the good things that come from heaven. God blesses our spirits with those good things. Before God made the world, he chose us to be his people because of Christ. He chose us so that we would please him. Because we belong to Christ, God accepts us as completely good. This shows how much he loves us. Long ago, he already decided to accept us into his family as his children, because of Jesus Christ. He chose us to belong to him because it made him very happy. As a result, we praise him, because he is great and he has been so kind to us. He has given us so much because of his Son, whom he loves very much. When Christ died as a sacrifice on the cross, he paid the price to make us free. Because of Christ's death on our behalf, God has forgiven our sins. God is so very kind that he has done all this for us!

Even more than that, God has shown how wise he is. He understands what we need. He has let us know his great purpose, which had been a secret before. That plan would make him very happy. It would be possible because of Christ. 10 God will make that plan happen when the time is completely right. At that time, he will bring everything together so that Christ rules all of them. That includes the things that are in heaven, and the things that are on earth.

11 God is able to make all things happen just like he decides. He chose us to be his own people, because we are united with Christ. In the beginning, God had already decided that this was his purpose. 12 We were the first people to trust in Christ, God's special Messiah.[a] God wanted us to show how great he is. He wanted people to praise him because of us. 13 You believers in Ephesus also heard God's true message. You heard the good news about how God saves you. When you believed in Christ, God gave his Holy Spirit to you. He had promised to do that, to show that you belong to him. 14 God has put his Holy Spirit inside us now. As a result, we know that one day we will receive all the good things that God has promised. At that time we will be completely free, because we belong to God. So we praise God and we say that he is great!

Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians

15 People have told me that you continue to trust in the Lord Jesus. They have told me that you love all God's people. Because I have heard these good things about you, 16 I am always thanking God because of you. Whenever I pray to God, I always ask him to help you. 17 God is very great! He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that his Holy Spirit will make you wise. I pray that his Holy Spirit will help you to understand what God is like. Then you will know God better and better. 18 I pray that God will bring light into your minds. Then you will understand about the many good things that he has prepared for you. You know that you will receive those things because he has chosen you to be his people. God has prepared very valuable things for you in heaven. 19 You will also know how very powerful God is. He uses that power to help us now, as we trust in Christ.

God's power is greater than anything we could ever know. 20 He used that power to raise Christ, so that he became alive again after his death. Then he gave Christ a place to sit at his right side in heaven.[b] 21 There, Christ rules over every other ruler and leader. He rules over everything else that has authority. He is greater than any power which people respect. That is true for the rulers of this world now, and also the rulers of the world that will come. 22 God has put all things under Christ's authority. He has made Christ the ruler over all things. He has done this to help his people, the church. 23 The church is like Christ's body and he is its head. Christ fills all things everywhere and he causes the church to become complete.

Footnotes

  1. 1:12 Paul probably means the first Jewish believers.
  2. 1:20 The right side is the most important place.