⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(A) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(B)—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(C) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(D) and seated us with him^(E) in the heavenly realms^(F) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,^(G) expressed in his kindness^(H) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(I) you have been saved,^(J) through faith^(K)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(L) so that no one can boast.^{(M) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(N) created^(O) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(P) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God every time I remember you.^{(A) 4} In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray^(B) with joy ⁵ because of your partnership^(C) in the gospel from the first day^(D) until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion^(E) until the day of Christ Jesus.^(F)

⁷ It is right^(G) for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart^(H) and, whether I am in chains^(I) or defending^(J) and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify^(K) how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love^(L) may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,^{(M) 10} so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,^{(N) 11} filled with the fruit of righteousness^(O) that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.