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Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
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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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in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
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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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Made Alive in Christ
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
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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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But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
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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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He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
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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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and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
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from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
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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,
