far above all hierarchies and authorities and powers and dominions and every name that is named, not only in this age but in that which is to come.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near in the blood of Christ.

Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.

but holding the truth in love we shall grow up in every part into him who is our Head, even Christ.

But you have not so learned Christ,

Let him who stole steal no more, but let him work, and in honest industry toil with his hands, so that he may have something to give to the needy.

From your lips let no evil words come forth, but such as occasion warrants, such as are good for upbuilding and give a blessing to the hearers.

so too with vulgarity and buffoonery and foolish jesting. Such words become you not, but rather thanksgiving.

For you were once darkness, but are now in the Lord.

and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness, but rather expose them.

but all these things, when exposed, are by the light made manifest, and what is made manifest is light.

See to it, then, that you carry on your life carefully; not as foolish, but as wise men.

For this reason do not be thoughtless, but learn to know what the Lord's will is.

Do not be drunk with wine, in which is riotous living, but drink deep in the Spirit,

But as the church submits itself to Christ, so also wives to their husbands in everything.

so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it as Christ does the church;

But as for you individually, you must each one of you love his own wife exactly as if she were yourself; and the wife, on her part, should reverence her husband.

And you fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up in the nature and admonition of the Lord.

not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as the slaves of Christ, doing the will of God;

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the despotisms, the empires, the rulers of this present darkness, the spirit-hosts of evil in the heavenly realm.

But that you also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.