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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
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he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
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he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
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In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
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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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I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
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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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Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
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In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
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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.
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Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,
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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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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
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This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
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to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
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Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
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Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
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Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
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But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
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This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
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Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
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“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
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Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
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Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
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because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
