Ephesians 2:14-3:21

New International Version

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(A) who has made the two groups one^(B) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(C) the law with its commands and regulations.^(D) His purpose was to create in himself one^(E) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(F) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(G) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(H) 18} For through him we both have access^(I) to the Father^(J) by one Spirit.^(K)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(L) but fellow citizens^(M) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(N) 20} built^(O) on the foundation^(P) of the apostles and prophets,^(Q) with Christ Jesus himself^(R) as the chief cornerstone.^{(S) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(T) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(U)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(V) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(W) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(X) made known to me by revelation,^(Y) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(Z) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ 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.^{(AA) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(AB) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(AC) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(AD)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(AE) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(AF) through the working of his power.^{(AG) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(AH) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(AI) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(AJ) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(AK) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(AL) should be made known^(AM) to the rulers and authorities^(AN) in the heavenly realms,^{(AO) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(AP) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(AQ) with freedom and confidence.^{(AR) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(AS) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(AT) he may strengthen you with power^(AU) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(AV) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(AW) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(AX) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(AY) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(AZ) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(BA)—that you may be filled^(BB) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(BC)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(BD) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(BE) or imagine, according to his power^(BF) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(BG)