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And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
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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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But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
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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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Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
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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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I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
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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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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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(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
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until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
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Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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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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It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
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for we are members of his body.
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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
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and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
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Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
