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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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he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
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Made Alive in Christ
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
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All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
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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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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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and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
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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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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,
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(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
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He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
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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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You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
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and do not give the devil a foothold.
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Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
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Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
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Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
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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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Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
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Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
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for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
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Final Greetings
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.
