God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(B) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(C) made known to me by revelation,^(D) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(E) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^{(F) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(I)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(K) through the working of his power.^{(L) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(N) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(O) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(P) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(Q) should be made known^(R) to the rulers and authorities^(S) in the heavenly realms,^{(T) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(V) with freedom and confidence.^{(W) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(X) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(Y) he may strengthen you with power^(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(AA) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(AC) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(AE) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(AF)—that you may be filled^(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(AH)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(AJ) or imagine, according to his power^(AK) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(AL)

¹⁴ The Word became flesh^(A) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,^(B) the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace^(C) and truth.^(D)

¹⁵ (John testified^(E) concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)^{(F) 16} Out of his fullness^(G) we have all received grace^(H) in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses;^(I) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.^{(J) 18} No one has ever seen God,^(K) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and^[a](L) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.