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11 Therefore, remember that (A)formerly (B)you—the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “(C)Uncircumcision” by the so-called “(D)Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, (E)alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to (F)the covenants of promise, having (G)no hope and (H)without God in the world. 13 But now in (I)Christ Jesus you who (J)formerly were (K)far off [a]have (L)been brought near (M)by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is (N)our peace, (O)who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition 15 [b]by (P)abolishing in His flesh the enmity, (Q)the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might (R)create the two into (S)one new man, making (T)peace, 16 and might (U)reconcile them both in (V)one body to God through the cross, having in Himself (W)put to death the enmity. 17 And (X)He came and preached (Y)the good news of peace to you who were (Z)far away, and peace to those who were (AA)near; 18 for through Him we both have (AB)our access in (AC)one Spirit to (AD)the Father.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 2:13 Or were made; lit became
  2. Ephesians 2:15 Or the enmity, by abolishing in His flesh the Law

The reconciliation of God’s people

11 So remember that once you were Gentiles by physical descent, who were called “uncircumcised” by Jews who are physically circumcised. 12 At that time you were without Christ. You were aliens rather than citizens of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of God’s promise. In this world you had no hope and no God. 13 But now, thanks to Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. 15 He canceled the detailed rules of the Law so that he could create one new person out of the two groups, making peace. 16 He reconciled them both as one body to God by the cross, which ended the hostility to God.

17 When he came, he announced the good news of peace to you who were far away from God and to those who were near. 18 We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit.

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