⁸ “‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment^(A) over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant^(B) with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.^(C)

⁹ “‘I bathed you with water and washed^(D) the blood from you and put ointments on you. ¹⁰ I clothed you with an embroidered^(E) dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen^(F) and covered you with costly garments.^{(G) 11} I adorned you with jewelry:^(H) I put bracelets^(I) on your arms and a necklace^(J) around your neck, ¹² and I put a ring on your nose,^(K) earrings^(L) on your ears and a beautiful crown^(M) on your head.^{(N) 13} So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes^(O) were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil^(P) and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.^{(Q) 14} And your fame^(R) spread among the nations on account of your beauty,^(S) because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(T)

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(A) 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^(B) he may strengthen you with power^(C) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(D) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(E) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(F) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(G) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(H) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(I)—that you may be filled^(J) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(K)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(L) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(M) or imagine, according to his power^(N) 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.^(O)