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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
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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 ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
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I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
