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For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
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to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
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who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
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Thanksgiving and Prayer
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,
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and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength
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far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
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which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
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in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
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But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
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made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
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Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—
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remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
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For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
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In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
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that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
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This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
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so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
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may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
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and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
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There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
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one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
